Hula Planet:What To Do In Hawaii

The great debate: Hannemann v Abercrombie, and other news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Former U.S. Rep. Neil Aber- crombie and former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Han- nemann clashed last night in the last televised debate before the Democratic primary for governor, a substantive and mostly positive encounter that forced both candidates to defend their records. Star-Advertiser. Neil Abercrombie and Mufi Hannemann threw zingers at each other for 90 minutes at the final debate to be televised statewide before the Sept. 18 Democratic gubernatorial primary. Associated Press. The race for governor kicks up a notch.

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Hawaii Vacation Deals & News: August 26, 2010

Let’s check out what the surf is serving up today. * The 2010 Duke’s Oceanfest is in action at Waikiki Beach. You can watch the live surfing action online at this link . Here’s a link to the Thursday schedule of events . (Hat tip to Nancy Daniels of Outrigger) * Quite a few Hawaii airfare sales have been popping up in the last couple of days. Here’s a sampling of what I’ve found: Portland to “All Islands” – $288 roundtrip plus taxes and fees on Hawaiian San Diego to “All Islands” – $388 roundtrip plus taxes and fees on Hawaiian San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland to “All Islands” -

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Obama vacation home sold, flood maps in, leaders mull new education money, more Hawaii news

President Barack Obama's "Winter White House," the beachfront home in Kailua where the Obamas vacationed in December 2008 and 2009, has been bought by a Maryland company managed by a nephew of Hawaii real estate baron Harry Weinberg. Star-Advertiser. Homeowners and businesses along the South facing shores of Oahu (Kaena Point to Portlock) and Kauai may soon be required by law to purchase flood insurance. Hawaii News Now. Last summer FEMA completed a state-wide hurricane flood insurance risk study. KHON2. Wednesday and Thursday are the only days when Kauaians will be able to discuss new island flood maps with federal officials before the maps take effect in November, state officials said. Garden Island. Last year's student member on the board of education says chairman Garrett Toguchi ran the board like a one-man show and intimidated other members from running for leadership positions. Civil Beat. The $75 million Race to the Top federal grant announced yesterday for Hawaii schools will kick-start some of the biggest reform initiatives ever seen in the state's public education system, educators say. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii has won $75 million for education in the federal "Race to the Top" contest after a tough application and selection process. KHON2. Getting Hawaii's best teachers and principals to work at the state's lowest-performing schools is a key element of the Race to the Top plan to lift student achievement that won approval yesterday. Star-Advertiser. Gov. Linda Lingle has released $65.5 million to the state Department of Education for repair-and-maintenance projects at public-school campuses and DOE facilities statewide, including $3.1 million for Kaua‘i schools, according to a news release. Garden Island. Like a disap- proving uncle, Hawaii's senior Democrat on Tuesday urged the two leading candidates for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination to stop issuing negative comments about each other and instead concentrate on policy differences. Associated Press. Hawaii's senior senator scolded fellow Democrats Tuesday for negative or dirty campaigning that he said, "has no place in Hawaii." KITV. 25 days until Honolulu picks a mayor and Tuesday's question was whose the best man to keep Honolulu safe? Hawaii News Now. Political candidates on the campaign trail usually spend their time boasting to voters about their abilities. KITV The complete results of the Hawaii News Now / Honolulu Star-Advertiser political poll are now available for viewing Hawaii News Now Hawaii County Councilwoman Emily Naeole-Beason is denying a domestic abuse allegation by her estranged husband. Associated Press. The State Health Planning & Development Agency has approved a certificate of need for a 15-bed expansion at Kula Hospital. Maui News. Alii Drive property owners, West Hawaii surfers and other Big Island residents will ask the Leeward Planning Commission to reject a special management area permit application at a hearing Friday. West Hawaii Today. The county Fire Department held a traditional Hawaiian blessing Monday for its newest piece of equipment -- a brand-new McDonnell-Douglas 500D helicopter. Tribune-Herald. The county Planning Commission on Tuesday agreed to allow a Bobcat in Na Pali Coast State Park. Garden Island. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources will hold a public information meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 25, to discuss possible regulations for certain marine fish species, including parrotfish, goatfish and jacks.

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Hawaii wins Race to the Top money, Maui aquarium collecting law expected today, Bar Association likes Recktenwald, Aiona trails in polls, more state…

The U.S. Education Department said Tuesday that nine states and the District of Columbia will get money to reform schools in the second round of the $4.35 billion "Race to the Top" grant competition. Associated Press. The U.S. Education Department says Hawaii is among nine states and the District of Columbia will receive money in the second round of the $4.35 billion "Race to the Top" school reform grant competition. Star-Advertiser. The latest unemployment figures show Hawaii is experiencing steady improvement, state Director of Labor and Industrial Relations Pearl Imada Iboshi said. KITV. Residents of Hawaii had to work for 231 days to pay off their share of the burden of government in 2010. Hawaii Reporter. A federal court lawsuit aims to help legal migrants from Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau regain benefits lost under a new state health plan. Associated Press. New cuts to medical benefits for low-income residents based on nationality amount to discrimination, according to a federal class action lawsuit filed Monday against the state of Hawaii on behalf of disabled Micronesians. Civil Beat. Last week, Native Hawaiians of the Friendly Isle gave thanks and heard about the future of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) during its annual “Share Mana`o: OHA in Your Neighborhood” community meeting. Molokai Dispatch. A speaker at a meeting of the Conservative Forum for Hawaii riled supporters of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement, although he never actually shared his thoughts or research on the subject. Tribune-Herald. The Army says a wildfire has burned 2,000 acres at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island. Star-Advertiser. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mufi Hannemann yesterday slammed scathing criticism from former U.S. Rep. Ed Case, who endorsed Hannemann's chief rival, Neil Abercrombie, over the weekend. Star-Advertiser. Former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie and former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann might be knotted in the Democratic primary for governor, but both Democrats hold double-digit advantages over Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, the leading Republican, in hypothetical matchups for the November general election, a new Hawaii Poll has found. Star-Advertiser. Be they Democratic, Republican or independent voters, Peter Carlisle appears to have support from all three camps heading into the final weeks of the special election for Honolulu mayor. Star-Advertiser. Even the president of the League of Women Voters of Hawaii isn't sure where her polling place is this year. Associated Press. The Hawaii State Bar Association board of directors voted yesterday to find Associate Justice Mark Recktenwald qualified to be the next state chief justice. Star-Advertiser. Honolulu on Monday agreed to dispose of 20,000 tons worth of gigantic piles of shrink-wrapped garbage that have been moldering in the heat of a Hawaii industrial park where it had been waiting for more than five months for a possible shipment to Washington state. Associated Press. The city has scrapped its plan to ship trash to the mainland, and bales of plastic-wrapped garbage once destined to take a 2,600-mile boat ride to Washington state will now be trucked less than a mile to the HPOWER incinerator. Star-Advertiser. Maui County is poised to pass an ordinance today that would make it the first Hawaii county to require permits and reports for the capture of aquarium fish from local reefs. Civil Beat. The spirit of volunteerism, generosity and a can-do attitude was evident Sunday at Old Kona Airport Park and Kohanaiki, where roughly 45 soldiers from Schofield Barracks participated in various community service projects. West Hawaii Today. What was first built as a sanitarium for tuberculosis patients has over a century evolved into a country hospital with a tightknit staff that cares for Maui's elderly on the quiet hillsides of Haleakala. Maui News. Every year the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau Fair grows a little bigger. Garden Island. The State Department of Agriculture's Plant Pest Control Branch has been studying the Madagascar Ragwort, also known as fireweed, for years. KHON2. University of Hawaii scientists have joined colleagues at the Smithsonian Institution in creating the first frozen bank for Hawaiian corals in an attempt to protect them from extinction. Star-Advertiser. Seven projects have been approved for Legacy Land Conservation Program funding. Associated Press. The federal government is seeking comments from the public on its management of the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. Associated Press. Plans are in the works to help the Oahu homeowners whose property taxes recently quadrupled because of zoning changes. KHON2. Craig Smallwood says NCSoft was negligent because it knew the game Lineage II would cause addiction. KHON2.

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Australia, Tahiti, Hawaii Cruise 18 Nights $2299

South Pacific Cruise Deals - Australia to Hawaii Celebrity Century Departs March 6, 2012 18 nights Oceanview from $2299 pp,do Promo Code:CLBWS South Pacific Cruise visits Sydney, Australia, International Dateline, Papeete, Tahiti French Poly, Moorea, French Polynesia, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, Raiatea, French Polynesia, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. 1-800-330-8820 to book your South Pacific Cruise Vacation or click here for reservations . Special subject to change without notice. Certain restrictions apply. Not responsible for errors or omissions. TravelWizard.com: Specialists in the Art of Travel: Call 1-800-330-8820

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Aloha Friday Photo: Running Rainbow

Today’s photo was provided by my friend, Melissa Chang, from Honolulu. Melissa

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Hawaiians win burial rights, 911 tapes released on Hawaii County councilman, Maui struggles with bag ban, Honolulu fireworks ban stalls, Chinese…

Native Hawaiians have the right to challenge construction plans that disturb Hawaiian burial sites, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled yesterday. Star-Advertiser. When Christopher Monahan undertook a remedial survey of archeological and cultural resources on the Army's Schofield Barracks, Kahuku Training Area and Pohakuloa Training Area, he faced some unusual challenges. Big Island Weekly. Hawaii ranks among the worst states in the nation on its response to human trafficking, according to a report released Wednesday by the Polaris Project. Civil Beat. More than 500 lawyers and judges filled the Monarchy Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa on Tuesday to hear a panel discuss trying terrorists, and the pros and cons of doing it in ordinary civilian courts or before military commissions. Maui News. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy is delivering the keynote address Thursday of the annual 9th Circuit Court Judicial Conference. Associated Press. A federal undercover investigation uncovered alleged criminal activity at two of Oahu’s North Shore shark tour companies. KITV. Police versus politician, on Wednesday night, we heard for the first time the dispatch calls on the day Hawaii County Council Member, Kelly Greenwell, got arrested. Hawaii News Now. Left with no backing from his colleagues, North Kona Councilman Kelly Greenwell on Tuesday put the brakes on his effort to end the Police Department's use of unmarked patrol cars. Tribune-Herald. The state Sheriff’s Department, under fire for poor management and more than 50,000 unserved warrants, is working to correct deficiencies that were noted in a critical state Auditor report. Hawaii Reporter. Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona released his policy agenda on jobs and the economy yesterday and said state government must reduce the financial and regulatory burdens on businesses. Star-Advertiser. The white-shirted members of Team Neil flexed their collective political muscle in a Tuesday evening rally in Hilo. Tribune-Herald. Holding a Komoda stick doughnut in a clear plastic bag, bakery worker Earl Lamadora had a request Tuesday during a public hearing to discuss the county's implementation of a new plastic bag reduction ordinance. Maui News. A crowd of about 200 gathered at Mooheau bandstand in Hilo Wednesday and marched on the federal building to protest the court’s decision to deny bail for Christie. KITV. Chinese business owner and surfer Hongbin "Robin" Wang said he was looking for waves to ride and hotels to buy during a trip this month to Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Historic Waikiki Beach could see its first new shoreline tower in decades under an overhaul of Kyo-Ya Hotels & Resort's Moana Surfrider and Princess Kaiulani properties approved unanimously by the City Council yesterday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaiian Airlines is ready to launch service to Japan and started with a new website. KHON2. The $446,939 tab for the Hawaii Tourism Authority's delegation to the 2010 Shanghai Expo in June included money for cocktail receptions, hula halau and 400 extra large aloha shirts from Hilo Hattie.

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Keeping the culture, lots of complaints about Honolulu, dollar favors Japanese visitors, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

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Hawaii losing tourism war, Kauai a stand-in for Gulf, Lingle off to China again, Kenoi hit with ethics complaint, more island news

Beach destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean have raised prices faster than Hawaii, but Hawaii remains more expensive, creating a tug of war between product quality and price, a mainland travel executive reports. Hawaii News Now. Long-standing disrepair at one of Oahu's iconic tourist destinations is finally being addressed by the city. Star-Advertiser. More than 53,000 people on the Web have watched a music video made on Kaua‘i to highlight the Gulf oil disaster, a news release says. Garden Island. Hawaii’s senators say it's like a death in their own ‘ohana, with Senator Dan Inouye saying he has lost a brother. KHON2. Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday said she will likely travel to China in her final months of office to foster relations with tourism and government officials in the fast-developing Asian nation. Associated Press. Gov. Linda Lingle on Tuesday criticized a new federal law that will direct millions of dollars to Hawaii for Medicaid and education programs even though she and other governors sought some of the money almost six months ago. Associated Press. The future of Aloha Stadium is an issue the next administration will have to deal with. KHON2. A five-member Hawaii team made its best pitch yesterday in Washington, D.C., on why the state should get $75 million in federal Race to the Top grant money to turn around low-performing schools and make sweeping education reforms. Star-Advertiser . Five representatives from the islands traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to try to win $75 million in Race to the Top funds for Hawaii. Civil Beat. The top three candidates for mayor met for a second debate last night, hoping to show business leaders how they would improve the economic climate in Hawaii, especially in areas of mass transit, infrastructure and public-private partnerships. Star-Advertiser. At its mouth, the Waihee River was only around a foot deep Monday afternoon - but that was good news to Scott Fisher of the Maui Coastal Land Trust. Maui News. The mayor and his planning director are facing an ethics complaint, after they failed to file gift disclosures for a dinner they had last year with foreign investors in the Aina Lea development. West Hawaii Today. While Maui County Council Member Sol Kaho'ohalahala stays overnight with his family in Lahaina when he's working on Maui, he returns to Lanai on his days off, his wife testified Monday. Maui News. Acting mayor Kirk Caldwell, former city prosecutor Peter Carlisle and engineer Panos Prevedouros participated in Tuesday evening’s debate. KITV. Arrested last month following a speeding violation, North Kona Councilman Kelly Greenwell now wants patrol officers to stop being so darned sneaky. Tribune-Herald. Consul General of Israel to visit Kaua‘i Garden Island. An 80-foot antenna plan lives on. Opponents don't like the way it looks, but supporters say the Wi-Fi tower in Central Oahu is just what they need. Hawaii News Now. A comprehensive settlement has been reached to address federal Clean Water Act compliance at Honolulu's wastewater collection and treatment systems. Associated Press. Ooma Beachside Village is not for sale, a consultant for the development told a commission Monday. West Hawaii Today. The state Department of Transportation is hoping its new website will help motorists navigate traffic when thousands of University of Hawaii-Manoa and private school students go back to class this month. KITV. The West Maui Health Alliance (WMHA) is ready to refocus and work on the healthcare needs of the community. Lahaina News. The Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii’s Ohana Medical Mission (PMAH OMM) recently installed a new set of officers and board of directors for 2010-2011. Filipino Chronicle.

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Best of the Hawaiian Islands 8 nights $2289

Hawaiian Island Escorted Tour 8 nights from $2289 pp,do Promo Code:GLWS See the famous sights of Hawaii during this incredible island getaway. Your Hawaii vacation begins with a warm aloha greeting and lei of fresh flowers. Enjoy three nights in Honolulu, where a sightseeing tour includes Pearl Harbor, Chinatown, and the royal 'Iolani Palace. Then travel to Kona on the Big Island, Hawaii’s largest island. In Kona, enjoy a tour of the Kona Coffee Living History Farm, a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and a lavish Hawaiian luau. Next, fly to Maui and enjoy spectacular natural sights such as the lush 'Iao Valley. Leisure time in Maui offers you the opportunity to take an optional tour to Haleakala National Park, site of the huge volcanic Haleakala Crater and stunning natural beauty. Call 1-800-330-8820 to book your Hawaiian Islands Escorted Tour Vacation or click here for reservations . Special subject to change without notice. Certain restrictions apply. Not responsible for errors or omissions. TravelWizard.com: Specialists in the Art of Travel: Call 1-800-330-8820

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