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Hawaiian Vanilla Farm Tour & Lunch

6. February 2012

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Hawaiian Vanilla Farm Tour & Lunch

Vanilla (orchid) growing on a hapu'u fern Vanilla has the reputation for being, well, somewhat bland, but did you know that vanilla is quite a fascinating plant? Vanilla is actually an orchid that only blooms for one day. If the orchid is to produce a vanilla bean, it must very carefully hand pollenated on that one day of blooming.  I learned these interesting facts while visiting the Hawaiian Vanilla Company for lunch and a tour. Though learning about vanilla is interesting in itself, the owner Jim Reddekopp weaves a family love story into his presentation about vanilla and how he came to farm it.  Jim and his wife Tracey were living on Oahu with their first two children when they decided that before they had more kids, they wanted to raise their children on a farm. Soon after, they decided to more to Hawaii Island’s verdant Hamakua Coast to start the US’s first (and I believe only) vanilla farm. Jim and Tracey now have five children that he jokes are on a work to eat program. Jim Reddekopp prepares a vanilla-infused appetizer. Jim Reddekopp does not hied his passion for his family and vanilla. The two are clearly intertwined. It was inspirational to hear how the Reddekopps grew their farm dream into a viable small business that currently employees nine people. How inspirational was it? Well, on the drive back to Waikoloa, Andy and I started daydreaming and brainstorming what sort of farm we could start in Hawaii. We enjoyed a very tasty vanilla-infused, three-course lunch as part of the Hawaiian Vanilla Experience ($39/adult and $15/child ages 4 to 12) followed by a tour of the farm. Almost every part of the lunch incorporated vanilla in creative and unusual ways. For example, the roasted potatoes were seasoned in a vanilla southwest spice. I certainly learned by tasting that vanilla is not just for desserts. Vanilla was added to each part of this savory lunch. After lunch, we took a tour of a vanilla farm “field” . There, we looked closer at the type of environment and tender loving care that vanilla farming requires. Vanilla Plant The Hawaiian Vanilla Company  is located in lovely old timber building that originally housed a coffee mill in the 1920s. It’s roughly half way between Hilo and Kona. We drove there from Waikoloa Beach Resort in about an hour. It’s quite a scenic drive, too. (See this map for directions .) If you’re in this area, you might want to consider also visiting Akaka Falls , Waipio Valley lookout and if time permits, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden . Hawaiian Vanilla Company offers other tours and tastings in addition to this lunch tour we enjoyed. Tour reservations are strongly recommended. You can book by calling 1-877-771-1771. Having lunch and farm touring at Hawaiian Vanilla Company was far more than a vanilla experience. — Mahalo to the Hawaiian Vanilla Company for hosting our tour. © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .

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Case and Hirono tied in U.S. Senate poll, Hawaii libraries to get wi-fi, Legislature tinkering with civil union law, Caylee’s Law coming to Hawaii,…

30. January 2012

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Hilo Public Library (c) 2012 All Hawaii News Wi-Fi will soon be available at libraries across the state. Star-Advertiser. Ed Case and Mazie Hirono are in a dead heat for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Daniel Akaka, according to a new Civil Beat Poll. Civil Beat. The automated telephone survey of 1,358 likely voters found Case at 41 percent, Hirono at 39 percent, with 8 percent saying neither candidate and 12 percent still unsure. Hawaii may soon join dozens of other states in banning lawmakers from holding political fundraisers during the four months the Hawaii Legislature is in session under a new proposal. Civil Beat Legislative “fixes” to the civil unions law that took effect this year are working their way through the Legislature. Star-Advertiser. State lawmakers have introduced a host of bills in the new legislative session aimed at keeping pace with Hawaii’s rapidly evolving energy sector, including one proposal that would force Hawaiian Electric Co. out of the power generation business and have it focus strictly on delivering electricity to customers. Star-Advertiser. Nearly one-third of Hawaii’s 256 public schools will use revamped teacher evaluations next school year in a pilot program that will take into account student academic growth, amid concerns from teachers over how the new rating system eventually will be tied to their pay. Star-Advertiser. Parents and guardians who fail to report missing children could face felony charges under a bill before the Hawaii Senate. KITV4. Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Friday released more than $15.6 million for capital improvement projects statewide that are designed to improve the state’s public safety, wastewater, civil defense and communications infrastructure. Pacific Business News. The possibility of another big northwest swell has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a High Surf Warning that will take effect Monday at 6 a.m. Hawaii News Now. “Living in the Moment:” New campaign launches to market Hawaiian Islands. KHON2. State roundup for Jan. 30. Associated Press. Oahu As contract expires, many hope Pro Bowl will stay in Hawaii. KHON2 . Cayetano: Rail A Wall of Concrete Snaking Along Honolulu’s Waterfront. Civil Beat. Prostitution Bust At University of Hawaii Professor’s Apartment following website’ sting. Hawaii Reporter. Hawaii The decision to fire four Hawaii County elections workers may soon start costing Big Island taxpayers. Tribune-Herald. The waters off the Kona Coast are teeming with life, a sign world-renowned animal expert Jeff Corwin said Sunday is hopeful and encouraging. West Hawaii Today. Maui A California developer wants to begin construction this spring on a shopping center that would be the largest outlet mall in Hawaii. Maui News. The Maui County Council General Plan Committee will conduct an informational meeting this week on the urban-growth boundaries being proposed in the draft Maui Island Plan. Maui News. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii filed a complaint letter with the County of Maui this week citing concerns over First Amendment rights of protesters demonstrating near the Monsanto facility along the Pi’ilani Highway in Kihei. Maui Now. Kauai State Sen. Ron Kouchi, D-Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau, said the March 24 election of board members of the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative will have a “tremendous impact” on diversifying the future economic base of the island. Garden Island. Kaua‘i volunteers spotted more whales than their counterparts on Hawaii’s other islands during a weekend ocean count coordinated by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Garden Island. Molokai Department of Land and Natural Resources is holding a community meeting regarding the security perimeter at the Kauanakakai Wharf to accommodate American Safari Cruises visits to Molokai. Molokai Dispatch.

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Case and Hirono tied in U.S. Senate poll, Hawaii libraries to get wi-fi, Legislature tinkering with civil union law, Caylee’s Law coming to Hawaii,…

30. January 2012

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Hilo Public Library (c) 2012 All Hawaii News Wi-Fi will soon be available at libraries across the state. Star-Advertiser. Ed Case and Mazie Hirono are in a dead heat for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Daniel Akaka, according to a new Civil Beat Poll. Civil Beat. The automated telephone survey of 1,358 likely voters found Case at 41 percent, Hirono at 39 percent, with 8 percent saying neither candidate and 12 percent still unsure. Hawaii may soon join dozens of other states in banning lawmakers from holding political fundraisers during the four months the Hawaii Legislature is in session under a new proposal. Civil Beat Legislative “fixes” to the civil unions law that took effect this year are working their way through the Legislature. Star-Advertiser. State lawmakers have introduced a host of bills in the new legislative session aimed at keeping pace with Hawaii’s rapidly evolving energy sector, including one proposal that would force Hawaiian Electric Co. out of the power generation business and have it focus strictly on delivering electricity to customers. Star-Advertiser. Nearly one-third of Hawaii’s 256 public schools will use revamped teacher evaluations next school year in a pilot program that will take into account student academic growth, amid concerns from teachers over how the new rating system eventually will be tied to their pay. Star-Advertiser. Parents and guardians who fail to report missing children could face felony charges under a bill before the Hawaii Senate. KITV4. Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Friday released more than $15.6 million for capital improvement projects statewide that are designed to improve the state’s public safety, wastewater, civil defense and communications infrastructure. Pacific Business News. The possibility of another big northwest swell has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a High Surf Warning that will take effect Monday at 6 a.m. Hawaii News Now. “Living in the Moment:” New campaign launches to market Hawaiian Islands. KHON2. State roundup for Jan. 30. Associated Press. Oahu As contract expires, many hope Pro Bowl will stay in Hawaii. KHON2 . Cayetano: Rail A Wall of Concrete Snaking Along Honolulu’s Waterfront. Civil Beat. Prostitution Bust At University of Hawaii Professor’s Apartment following website’ sting. Hawaii Reporter. Hawaii The decision to fire four Hawaii County elections workers may soon start costing Big Island taxpayers. Tribune-Herald. The waters off the Kona Coast are teeming with life, a sign world-renowned animal expert Jeff Corwin said Sunday is hopeful and encouraging. West Hawaii Today. Maui A California developer wants to begin construction this spring on a shopping center that would be the largest outlet mall in Hawaii. Maui News. The Maui County Council General Plan Committee will conduct an informational meeting this week on the urban-growth boundaries being proposed in the draft Maui Island Plan. Maui News. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii filed a complaint letter with the County of Maui this week citing concerns over First Amendment rights of protesters demonstrating near the Monsanto facility along the Pi’ilani Highway in Kihei. Maui Now. Kauai State Sen. Ron Kouchi, D-Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau, said the March 24 election of board members of the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative will have a “tremendous impact” on diversifying the future economic base of the island. Garden Island. Kaua‘i volunteers spotted more whales than their counterparts on Hawaii’s other islands during a weekend ocean count coordinated by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Garden Island. Molokai Department of Land and Natural Resources is holding a community meeting regarding the security perimeter at the Kauanakakai Wharf to accommodate American Safari Cruises visits to Molokai. Molokai Dispatch.

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Abercrombie’s State of the State emphasizes recovery, $2.8M for fired Honolulu whistleblower, federal judge cites Hawaii for slow food stamp…

24. January 2012

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Abercrombie’s State of the State emphasizes recovery, $2.8M for fired Honolulu whistleblower, federal judge cites Hawaii for slow food stamp…

Gov. Abercrombie’s 2012 State of the State address, courtesy photo Gov. Neil Abercrombie said Monday that Hawaii has weathered the most difficult choices needed to balance the budget, urging lawmakers to leave the drama of the past few years behind and consider targeted investments to improve the state’s economic future. Star-Advertiser. Gov. Neil Abercrombie told the state Legislature on Monday that it’s time to move forward and leave behind the drama of the recent past, saying lawmakers have an opportunity to maintain economic momentum, bolster education and help provide older Hawaii residents better access to long-term support. Associated Press. The State’s Chief Executive says the worst of the Great Recession is behind us…and he’s committed to moving forward … Hawaii Public Radio. “We have started to turn the corner,” Governor Neil Abercrombie said while delivering his State of the State address Monday at the State Capitol. Hawaii News Now. Governor Abercrombie pledged Monday to keep Hawaii on the path of economic recovery during his second State of the State address. KHON2. Gov. Neil Abercrombie said Monday that he is asking state lawmakers for $10 million to consolidate all of Hawaii’s state technology under one office, and for another $2.9 million for the state’s Broadband Initiative. Pacific Business News. In his State of the State address, Neil Abercrombie made sure the Hawaii Legislature — especially leaders Calvin Say and Shan Tsutsui — understands his gratitude. Civil Beat. Gov. Neil Abercrombie in his State of the State address Monday touched on one of Hawaii’s hottest topics — sustainable and renewable energy. West Hawaii Today. Governor Neil Abercrombie reiterated his request for the Hawaii State Teachers Association to provide a new proposal for a contract in his 2012 State Of The State Address Monday. KITV4. Hawaii House Republicans Respond to Governor’s State of the State. Hawaii Reporter. One Year Later – 2011 State of the State Scorecard. Civil Beat. Governor Neil Abercrombie delivered his second state of the state address this morning, touching upon early childhood education, investment in infrastructure and moving forward on the state’s broadband initiative. Maui Now. A federal judge has issued preliminary injunction against the state of Hawaii for failing to process food stamp applications quickly enough. Civil Beat. The state will provide seed money to help the Queen’s Medical Center quickly launch an organ transplant facility to replace the one closed in the Hawaii Medical Center’s bankruptcy. Star-Advertiser. The Hawaii Supreme Court wants the state Reapportionment Commission to get out of court and get back to work, according to a tersely worded order filed Friday. West Hawaii Today. The leader of Hawaii’s teachers union said Monday he should have given members more time to consider a six-year proposed contract they overwhelmingly rejected last week, and has been “humbled” by the vote. Star-Advertiser. “I cannot think of a single thing we did not do to try to accommodate the concerns of the teachers union in this agreement,” Gov. Neil Abercrombie said at a press conference last week about the vote by Hawaii teachers to reject a tentative contract with the state. Civil Beat. The Hawaii chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is calling the first year of the state’s ignition interlock law a success. Tribune-Herald. State roundup for January 24. Associated Press. Oahu The half-percent excise tax surcharge levied on Oahu residents and visitors has brought in more than $810 million so far to fund the Honolulu rail project, with collections continuing to run ahead of projections, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation said Monday. Star-Advertiser. Paychecks for workers in Honolulu fall somewhere in the middle when compared to 405 other metropolitan areas in the nation. Pacific Business News. A woman who said she lost her job with the city for blowing the whistle on wrongdoing nearly ten years ago has been awarded a $2.8 million settlement by the Honolulu City Council. Hawaii News Now. A 2010 report commissioned by the Department of Environmental Services shows the city could recuperate tens of millions of dollars every year by charging Oahu residents for regular trash pickup. KHON2. Hawaii Seven Hawaii County Council candidates have so far filed declarations of intent to seek public funding as the second election year of the three-election-cycle pilot program begins. West Hawaii Today. Hunters and their supporters took to a Hilo street Monday to protest a state plan to ban hunting within 4,800 acres of public forest located south of Hilo. Tribune-Herald. Maui Students attending summer classes at the University of Hawaii Maui College will benefit from a reduction in tuition, following action taken by the university’s Board of Regents last week on Kauai. Maui News. The last in a series of community outreach meetings hosted by the Maui Charter Commission takes place this Wednesday in Pukalani. Maui Now. Maui County could streamline the way it grants millions of dollars to nonprofit agencies and eliminate the volunteer Grants Review Committee under changes being considered by the administration and County Council. Maui News. Kauai Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. will hold two community outreach meetings this week. Star-Advertiser. An update on the Victim Witness Program requested by the Kaua‘i County Council to the Office of Prosecuting Attorney last week turned into a heated, four-hour discussion, marked by the recusal of one council member and repeated interruptions for discussions with attorneys. Garden Island. More than two dozen people spent a couple of hours removing two large chunks of derelict netting which washed ashore during the recent storm at a Wailua beach. Garden Island.

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Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s 2012 State of the State Address: “Investing Now for Hawai’i’s Future”

23. January 2012

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Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s 2012 State of the State Address:  “Investing Now for Hawai’i’s Future”

Hawaii House (c) 2012 All Hawaii News “Investing Now for Hawai’i’s Future” State of the State 2012 The Honorable Neil Abercrombie Governor, State of Hawai’i January 23, 2012 (as prepared) Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, former Governors, distinguished justices of the courts, mayors, representatives of our Congressional Delegation, members of the Hawai’i State Legislature, other elected officials, honored guests, family and friends.

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Top Oahu Festivals to Plan into Your Hawaii Vacation

23. January 2012

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Top Oahu Festivals to Plan into Your Hawaii Vacation

If you’re hankering to go to Oahu, but not sure when to go, perhaps you’d like to go during one of the many excellent festivals. To help you, I’ve created this handy dandy list of Oahu festivals – which mixes in input from the nice folks at the Oahu Visitor’s Bureau, plus my opinion. Honolulu Festival

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Subdued opening day for Hawaii Legislature, leaders’ speeches promote austerity, public records, plastic bag fees, gambling among top topics, teachers…

19. January 2012

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Subdued opening day for Hawaii Legislature, leaders’ speeches promote austerity, public records, plastic bag fees, gambling among top topics, teachers…

Hawaii Legislature (c) 2012 All Hawaii News State House and Senate leaders, on a spartan opening day of the legislative session, said they would avoid new taxes and major spending increases but may invest in bond-financed construction projects to upgrade

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Hawaii candidates enter federal races, Maui musician appointed to Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii County mayor mulls bag ban, economy, assisted…

17. January 2012

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Hawaii candidates enter federal races, Maui musician appointed to Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii County mayor mulls bag ban, economy, assisted…

Honolulu Councilwoman and congressional candidate Tulsi Gabbard with Gov. Neil Abercrombie, courtesy photo In recent years, Honolulu Councilwoman and congressional candidate Tulsi Gabbard has undergone what she describes as a “gradual metamorphosis” on social issues. Civil Beat. An Oahu counselor will take on a former governor and a perennial GOP candidate for the Republican Party’s U.S. Senate nomination. West Hawaii Today. Lawmakers will head back to the state capitol for the 2012 session on January 18. KHON2. “It’s the economy, stupid” — the mantra Bill Clinton used in his 1992 election to the presidency — is the theme most heard around the halls of the state Capitol this month. Civil Beat. Members of Maui County’s state House delegation want to put more wind in the sails of the state’s economic recovery. Maui News. An obscure 1909 law intended to ease suffering of Hansen’s disease patients does not make physician-assisted suicide legal in Hawaii, according to an opinion by the state attorney general’s office. Star-Advertiser. Lawmakers are working on crafting a bill that’ll give movie and TV productions larger tax credits. KHON2. Hawaiian Electric Co. could be in the political crosshairs this legislative session when it comes to energy policy. Civil Beat. Last year, the big education issues at the Hawaii Legislature were instructional time, school bullying and the appointed Board of Education. Civil Beat. State Department of Education officials traveled to D.C. to discuss what needs to be done to keep 75 million dollars in Hawai`i’s public schools. HPR spoke with one member of the team who traveled to D.C. Hawaii Public Radio. The Hawaii State Teachers Association has listed the polling places for members to vote to ratify a new six-year contract that includes a back-loaded pay raise and 50% contribution to medical insurance coverage seen in other state contracts. KITV4. Military contractors and top commanders may have even more reason to be excited about all the talk of increasing the focus of U.S. military might the Pacific — it could translate to new construction work and additional troops in Hawaii. Pacific Business News. State Roundup for Jan. 17. Associated Press. Honolulu Former Mayor Ben Cayetano will officially announce his candidacy for Honolulu mayor by the end of the week. Hawaii News Now. Members of the Occupy Wall Street movement plan to gather Friday at the Prince Kuhio Federal Building in Honolulu and 79 other court houses across the country to rally against the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision by the U.S. Supreme Court issued two years ago. Hawaii Reporter. For several Hawaii teachers and their families, the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. was more than a day off work and a chance to sleep in — Monday was a chance to celebrate the life and legacy of the nation’s most lauded leader of the civil rights movement. Star-Advertiser. Neil Abercrombie was against the controversial Hoopili development before he was for it, according to environmentalists who said they met with him before the 2010 election. Civil Beat. Hawaii A bill banning plastic bags at the retail checkout stand will become law today if Mayor Billy Kenoi doesn’t execute a last-minute veto. West Hawaii Today. Median home prices fell across the island in 2011 to their lowest level in years. Tribune-Herald . Maui Noted Hawaiian music performer Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey said Monday that she has been appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to fill the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ vacant Maui seat. Maui News. An advocate for people with disabilities said he’s hoping to see Makawao’s sidewalks become more wheelchair accessible – four years after he began working to bring about improvements. Maui News. The State Department of Transportation will host a public meeting on Maui to discuss runway rehabilitation options at the Kahului Airport. Maui Now. Kauai Moviegoers saw a fair amount of the Garden Isle on the silver screen in 2011, but industry experts said Monday the Golden Globe-winning “The Descendants,” filmed partly on Kaua‘i, will boost tourism on the island. Garden Island. First plantation, last homes. Tenants of a former Kauai sugar camp face eviction for a new development. Star-Advertiser. The effect of genetically engineered foods on health and the environment is the topic of a free dinner and film presentation later this month in Kapa‘a. Garden Island. Molokai Hansen’s disease survivors and National Park Service workers at the Kalaupapa Settlement say they will be traveling easier now that a new air carrier has started federally subsidized service to their isolated community at lower ticket prices. Star-Advertiser.

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Cruise ships returning to Hawaii, state preps for legislative session, Yagong announces candidacy for Hawaii County mayor, security zone planned for…

16. January 2012

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Cruising in Hawaii (c) 2012 All Hawaii News More people are setting sail for Hawaii. More than 104,000 travelers arrived in the islands on cruise ships — mostly from the West Coast — in the first 11 months of last year, according to the most recent data available. That’s a 14.5 percent increase from the same period in 2010. Associated Press. 2012 Who’s Who Legislative Guide. Star-Advertiser. Expediting Hawaii’s excruciatingly slow economic recovery will be a top priority for East Hawaii’s all-Democratic legislative delegation, which returns to work on Wednesday. Tribune-Herald. When asked what their priorities are for the legislative session starting Wednesday, Maui’s three state senators had some different projects in mind but agreed that job creation will likely dominate their time. Maui News. After their salaries are restored to 2009 levels in July 2013, Hawaii teachers would get a raise every year that they receive at least an “effective” performance rating, under a tentative contract with the state. Civil Beat. Attorneys and advocates, academics and activists alike gathered Saturday to honor the life and legacy of University of Hawaii law professor Jon Van Dyke. Star-Advertiser. Honolulu Thirty new American citizens will be sworn in by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Honolulu on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Associated Press. As part of today’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will welcome 30 new U.S. citizens. Star-Advertiser. City government offices will be closed on Monday, January 16, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a federal and state holiday. KITV4. A developer plans to spend more than $7 million to build nine big T-shaped breakwaters off Iroquois Point beach to protect a rental community, stop erosion and replenish sand fronting former Navy housing near the mouth of Pearl Harbor. Star-Advertiser. A Wahiawa senior center remains in violation of federal grants rules, according to a Jan. 12 letter to Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Civil Beat. State Rep. Jo Jordan plans to return to an oft-flooded section of Puhawai Road in Waianae this morning with more than 60 volunteers to cut back branches and clear debris from an area that will undergo millions of dollars of flood-prevention work over the next several years. Star-Advertiser. They call themselves the mangrove manglers.

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Cruise ships returning to Hawaii, state preps for legislative session, Yagong announces candidacy for Hawaii County mayor, security zone planned for…

16. January 2012

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Cruising in Hawaii (c) 2012 All Hawaii News More people are setting sail for Hawaii. More than 104,000 travelers arrived in the islands on cruise ships — mostly from the West Coast — in the first 11 months of last year, according to the most recent data available. That’s a 14.5 percent increase from the same period in 2010. Associated Press. 2012 Who’s Who Legislative Guide. Star-Advertiser. Expediting Hawaii’s excruciatingly slow economic recovery will be a top priority for East Hawaii’s all-Democratic legislative delegation, which returns to work on Wednesday. Tribune-Herald. When asked what their priorities are for the legislative session starting Wednesday, Maui’s three state senators had some different projects in mind but agreed that job creation will likely dominate their time. Maui News. After their salaries are restored to 2009 levels in July 2013, Hawaii teachers would get a raise every year that they receive at least an “effective” performance rating, under a tentative contract with the state. Civil Beat. Attorneys and advocates, academics and activists alike gathered Saturday to honor the life and legacy of University of Hawaii law professor Jon Van Dyke. Star-Advertiser. Honolulu Thirty new American citizens will be sworn in by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Honolulu on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Associated Press. As part of today’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will welcome 30 new U.S. citizens. Star-Advertiser. City government offices will be closed on Monday, January 16, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a federal and state holiday. KITV4. A developer plans to spend more than $7 million to build nine big T-shaped breakwaters off Iroquois Point beach to protect a rental community, stop erosion and replenish sand fronting former Navy housing near the mouth of Pearl Harbor. Star-Advertiser. A Wahiawa senior center remains in violation of federal grants rules, according to a Jan. 12 letter to Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Civil Beat. State Rep. Jo Jordan plans to return to an oft-flooded section of Puhawai Road in Waianae this morning with more than 60 volunteers to cut back branches and clear debris from an area that will undergo millions of dollars of flood-prevention work over the next several years. Star-Advertiser. They call themselves the mangrove manglers.

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