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Tag Archive | "national"

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,…

Monday, January 30, 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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Judge could rule today on civil union challenge, Occupy Honolulu protesters arrested, Hawaii mortgages top $3,000, Obama visits Pearl Harbor,…

Friday, December 30, 2011

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Judge could rule today on civil union challenge, Occupy Honolulu protesters arrested, Hawaii mortgages top $3,000, Obama visits Pearl Harbor,…

Lava flows courtesy Hawaii Volcanoes National Park A pause in the supply of magma since Tuesday to Kilauea's East Rift Zone vent has slowed the output of lava, but that hasn't stopped hundreds of people from visiting the end of the road in a remote corner of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Tribune-Herald. Lava slideshow The 2012 New Year will ring in several new State measures, including Hawaii’s civil unions law. Other measures include a law that provides workplace protections for domestic or sexual violence victims, a law that allows for anonymous filings in a court of law, as well as several new insurance provisions. Hawaii Independent. A federal judge could rule as early as today on a request by two Oahu Christian churches to block the new state law that allows same-sex couples to enter into civil unions. Star-Advertiser. Two Christian churches on Oahu and their pastors are seeking a court order to halt Hawaii's civil union law, which goes into effect Jan. 1 — in less than three days. Civil Beat. Two Christian churches have filed a federal complaint to stop Hawaii's new civil union law in its tracks, claiming the legislation is unconstitutional. Hawaii Reporter. President Barack Obama has now done what every president since Franklin D. Roosevelt has done -- visited the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. CNN. President Barack Obama laid a wreath at a memorial honoring those killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Associated Press. It's been an event filled day for the President and First Family. KHON2. Hawaii had the biggest average home mortgage amount in the nation in 2011, and an average monthly payment that is more than three times higher than the national average, according to statistics from LendingTree.com. Pacific Business News. Predicting ahi prices for New Year's sashimi and poke is like gambling. Star-Advertiser. The state Reapportionment Commission Chair, Retired Judge Victoria Marks, and her project manager, delivered the commission's final report and 2011 reapportionment plan prepared by the 2011 Reapportionment Commission to Hawaii lawmakers today. Hawaii Reporter. State Roundup for Dec. 30. Associated Press. Oahu Acting on newly confirmed boundaries, Honolulu police swept in late Thursday night and evicted Occupy Honolulu campers at Thomas Square Park, arresting two protesters. Star-Advertiser. New overnight, "Occupy" protestors were forced out of Thomas Square after a two month stand. Hawaii News Now. Feds OK Final Rail Design Work, But Demand Stronger Financial Plan. Civil Beat. The City and County of Honolulu has moved one step closer to receiving federal funding for its $5.3 billion rail project. KHON2. Change orders and problems have plagued two city construction projects in Ewa, a new gym and a new fire station, adding to their costs and causing months of delays. KITV4. Hawaii Hawaii County Council members are lining up their priorities for the new year. West Hawaii Today. As Hilo Councilman J Yoshimoto makes plans to run for the District 2 council seat, now that he's been moved there from his current District 3, he's going to face competition. West Hawaii Today. Maui State funding of nearly $1.3 million has been released for design, planning and a portion of construction for a project to convert the University of Hawaii Maui College's former cafeteria into the new UH Food Innovation Center. Maui News. Plans for a new Kihei high school call for building a campus in two phases, with the first targeted for opening in 2016 for 800 students and 120 staff members, according to a draft environmental impact statement posted last week. Maui News. Kauai Time share owners at The Point at Po‘ipu are yelling foul in what might just might be a case of buyer beware. Garden Island. County officials this week reminded Kaua‘i residents that more tax relief is now available for eligible homeowners. Garden Island.

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Health benefits face cuts, Hawaiian newspapers coming to the Internet, PUC approves HELCO power sharing, smart grid for Maui, swag for elected…

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

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Hilo homelessness (c) 2011 All Hawaii News Homeless service providers say they haven't seen much of a drop, if any, in the number of people coming to them. Civil Beat. The Abercrombie administration intends to tighten eligibility and reduce benefits for adults in QUEST, eliminating an estimated 3,000 people from the state's health plan for the poor, but has walked back limits on hospital stays that would have been the most restrictive in the nation. Star-Advertiser. Swag of Our Governors. Civil Beat. Awaiaulu, Inc., a local non-profit organization, is seeking 3,000 volunteers from around the world to participate in a unique nation-building initiative that aims to make 60,000 pages of Hawaiian-language newspapers accessible via the Internet. Hawaii Reporter. The Hawaii Supreme Court Tuesday denied a request by retired car dealer James Pflueger to review a state appeals court ruling that upheld manslaughter charges against him in the deaths of seven people killed after the 2006 Ka Loko Dam breach. Star-Advertiser . The state Public Utilities Commission has approved Hawaiian Electric Co.'s Feed in Tariff Tier 3. Pacific Business News. Oahu The Pacific Beach Hotel, its owners, and its management, face penalties after a federal contempt of court citation for failure to rehire fired union organizers with back pay. Hawaii News Now. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) wants to inform drivers that archaeological survey work continues in the urban Honolulu area for the rail transit project. Hawaii Independent. Hawaii Kai residents will see their sewer bills go up 14 percent under a rate increase approved Monday by the Public Utilities Commission. Star-Advertiser. The Outdoor Circle is taking a new, hard-line stance against the city's planned elevated rail transit system, calling the rail project the biggest threat to Oahu's landscape in the group's 100-year history. Star-Advertiser. For the past two years, the city has been trying to get an exploding feral pig problem under control at Hoomaluhia Botanical Park in Kaneohe. KITV4. Business owners will meet tomorrow to discuss a possible lawsuit over losses during the APEC summit. KHON4 . Hawaii The first group of low-income residents will move in to the Kaloko Housing units as early as Dec. 1, HOPE Services Hawaii CEO Brandee Menino said Tuesday. West Hawaii Today . As the Hawaii County Council plans its 10th meeting on a new county building code, Council Chairman Dominic Yagong is asking architects, contractors, owner-builders, trade unions and anyone else with an interest to submit amendments to make construction safe and more affordable. West Hawaii Today. Police say they'll conduct islandwide DUI checkpoints over the Thanksgiving weekend as part of the national campaign "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over." Tribune-Herald. Maui Hawaii and Japan on Tuesday agreed to build a smart grid on Maui to demonstrate how solar, wind and other renewable energy sources can be integrated into an electrical grid. Associated Press. Governor Neil Abercrombie announced a project that will invest $37-million-dollars in smart grid technologies on Maui. The entire project is being funded by Japan. Hawaii Public Radio. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Board approved "pretty much the final piece of the puzzle" for the expansion of the Kaheawa wind farm, said First Wind spokesman Kekoa Kaluhiwa. Maui News . Kauai Makeover and renovations for the former Lihu‘e Courthouse will follow historic guidelines because the building is listed on the Hawai‘i Register and the National Register of Historic Places since 1981. Garden Island.

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Kona girl gets message in a bottle, good-bye to cursive, tougher standards for Hawaii schools, Honolulu rail fight on track, Big Island hospitals get…

Monday, August 1, 2011

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Waikiki pedestrians (c) 2011 All Hawaii News Hawaii's lieutenant governor has proclaimed August "Pedestrian Safety Month" in an effort to make the Aloha State a safer place to walk. Associated Press. Oregon boy's letter travels across Pacific, discovered by girl on Kona beach. West Hawaii Today. New rules regulating commercial activities in state waters, directly affecting Hanalei Bay, will soon go into effect. Garden Island. At Hawaii public schools, cursive writing could be going the way of the abacus. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii's new digital tracking system for students could revolutionize the way teachers prepare for school. Civil Beat. In the new school year that kicks off today, public school teachers will begin rolling out tougher standards for math and reading, requiring students to dive into more complex texts and critical thinking. Star-Advertiser. Some Big Island educators say they feel like they've been slapped in the face after Gov. Neil Abercrombie called off contract negotiations with the state teachers' union. Tribune-Herald. An estimated 500 people, including state legislators, their staffers and family members, are in Hawaii this week for the 64th annual meeting of the Council on State Governments-West. Hawaii News Now. Two Big Island hospitals are due to be recognized this week for providing Level III trauma care. Associated Press. Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced Beth Giesting as the Healthcare Transformation Coordinator, a new position, established by an executive order. Hawaii Independent. Hawaii Health Systems Corp. said it has finalized a $28.7 million contract with Siemens Healthcare to implement an electronic medical records system across the state. Pacific Business News. Maui Electric Company filed a request with the Public Utilities Commission

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Puu Loa Petroglyph Trail at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

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Puu Loa Petroglyph Trail at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you’ll find an astonishing number of images carved in 400 to 500 year old pahoehoe lava flow stone. If these Hawaiian petroglyphs could talk, what a story they could share, as there are more than 20,000 petroglyphs in Pu’u Loa. The vast majority of the petroglyphs are small dot-like holes that are approximately two inches in diameter. Hawaiian historians explain that these holes are called puka. When a child was born a puka would be carved in the lava stone at Puu Loa. The new baby’s piko (umbilical cord) would be placed in the puka to wish blessings upon the child for a long and prosperous life. I enjoy the challenge of finding petroglyphs in Hawaii . Each petroglyph has a story and I always wonder what the storyteller was trying to say. In all my visits to Hawaii, my visit to the Pu’u Loa petroglyphs was the most fruitful. I believe this is the largest petroglyph site in the state. It’s definitely the most I’ve ever seen in one place. The 1.5-mile loop trail to the Pu’u Loa petroglyphs is relatively easy walk with essentially no challenging elevation changes. The walking surface is very uneven as it leads though ancient lava flows, so wear sturdy shoes. (See this photo of the actual trail to better visualize the terrain.) You’ll want to bring a hat and wear sunscreen as there is no shade in this exposed petroglyph field. I recommend you bring water as well. You’ll find the trail head off the Chain of Craters Road, approximately 16 to 17 miles from the intersection with Crater Rim Drive. There’s a small parking area at the trail head. See the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s page on the Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs . Please be careful that you do not touch or walk on the petroglyphs. Stay on the trail and boardwalk at all times. If you go off trail, it would be very easy to loose your bearings and become lost.. For more information on the culture and history of  these petroglyphs, see this link . Also, check out my tips for visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park . See our collection of photos from the Pu’u Loa Trail . Have you visited the Pu’u Loa petroglyph field? How was your visit? © 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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Touring Kauai’s Allerton Gardens

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

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Touring Kauai’s Allerton Gardens

We’ve been making a pleasant habit of visiting botanical gardens in Hawaii. So on our recent visit to Kauai , we planned a visit to Allerton Gardens in the Lawai Valley in Poipu. This Allerton Home is Snuggled By Tropical Plants Allerton Gardens are managed by the National Tropical Botanical Garden. From their website, they describe the heritage of Allerton as “a garden paradise, transformed through time by the hands of a Hawaiian Queen [Queen Emma], by a sugar plantation magnate, and most significantly by an artist and an architect.” Robert Allerton was the artist and his adopted son, John Gregg Allerton, was the architect. Together, their combined talents designed a unique garden concept of outdoor rooms. An example of One of the outdoor rooms designed by the Allertons. Most rooms included a water feature. A guided-tour ($45 per person) leads visitors through garden rooms while explaining the room design, significance to the Allertons, and the types of plants and trees that were chosen. The guided tour includes a 10 to 15-minute tram ride to and from the visitors center to the Lawai Valley and Allerton Garden. The views along the way are truly fantastic and almost worth the visit alone. Lovely Lawa'i Bay In addition to the excellent Lawai Valley views and exploring the garden rooms nestled by the peaceful Lawai Stream, we also enjoyed seeing Queen Emma’s colorful wall of bougainvillea planted by Queen Emma herself.. She retreated to Lawai to morn the loss of her husband and her son. Bright bougainvillea planted by Queen Emma What to know before you go: Guided-tours (2.5 hours duration) are offered daily at four set times (9am, 10am, 1pm, 2pm.) . See this link for more information making reservations to tour Allerton Gardens. I might suggest that you take the 9am tour before the sun warms up the valley too much. Beyond the set tour times, there’s a special sunset tour offered on Thursdays and Saturdays. It’s a little pricier at $60 per person  but it includes pupus (hors d’ouevres) tours of the Allerton’s home. Wear sunscreen, hat, mosquito repellent and comfortable walking shoes. I wore long hiking trousers and I was glad I did as they protected my legs from mosquito bites. Bring water. We had a little trouble finding the entrance to the National Botanical Garden Southshore Visitors Center. But, if you know this, it will be easy for you – the entrance is directly across from the Spouting Horn parking lot. Don’t miss meandering around the Hawaiian Garden at the Visitor’s Center . It’s free and well worth the visit. It’s open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We’re on facebook! Please click here to join us. © 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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Fields of Hawaii: Steam Fields

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

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Fields of Hawaii: Steam Fields

This field is smokin' hot! Our Fields of Hawaii Series gets hot and steamy today with a look at Hawaii’s fields of steam. You’ll find these surprising landscape of steam vents at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. (See my tips for visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park .) You’ll see them dotted throughout the park. The steam vents shown in these photos are just east of the visitor’s center off Crater Rim Drive. The steam comes from cracks in the rock and ground of the Kilauea Caldera. Rainwater seeps through the ground and is heated by rocks which carry heat from the liquid rock below. The heated water then rises through the cracks to condense in the chilled air. Watching the earth steam is a surreal scene and a reminder that that you are standing on an active volcano! Steam wafts up from the ground in one of many vents in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park This post is part of our ongoing series looking at the expected and unexpected fields that make Hawaii unique. Other posts in this series are: Fields of Greens (Highlights Hawaii’s top-notch golf courses.) Pineapple Fields Sugar Cane Fields Rock Garden of the Gods Lava Fields Coffee Fields © 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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List of the Best Free Kauai Attractions Updated

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

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List of the Best Free Kauai Attractions Updated

Pink Plumeria in Bloom I’ve updated the list of the best free Kauai sights and attractions to include two more attractions: Visiting the free gardens around McBryde and Allerton gardens visitors center of the National Tropical Botanical Garden in the Lawai Valley. You must pay to tour the McBryde and Allerton gardens, but there’s a lovely 10-acres of free gardens around the shared visitors center of these two National Tropical Botanical Gardens. Kauai Coffee Company free self-guided coffee farm tour and tasting in Eleele. So be sure and check out the newly updated list of best free Kauai attractions !

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David Archuleta – Pro Bowl – National Anthem

Saturday, June 19, 2010

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HQ: www.youtube.com David Archuleta sings the National Anthem at the Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. He performed Live and didn’t lip-sync. Sunday, February 8, 2009 Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii Here is a link to the rehearsal without helicopters and fireworks by ASIAYAY: www.youtube.com Here is a playlist of patriotic songs performed by David Archuleta: [...]

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Media merger starts today, EPA, Maui at odds over water, city, counties continue budget debates, more

Monday, June 7, 2010

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The sun is climbing high, but business is still bustling for the 60 vendors at the farmers market in the shady Kapiolani Community College parking lot behind Diamond Head. Saturday was a great day to hang out at the beach with that special someone, and a pair of monk seals were no exception. The final chapters of Hawaii's two largest newspapers have been written and Monday, the new Star-Advertiser makes its debut. The merger of century-old rivals into today's new Honolulu Star-Advertiser should bring readers a stronger newspaper, with more muscle for investigative reporting and a deep perspective on the state that both papers helped shape. The lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender community took part in a 20-year old tradition in Waikiki Saturday, but their focus is on the future. Hawaii Family Forum, a Christian group that has been one of the loudest voices against civil unions, must limit its lobbying activity to keep its tax-exempt, charitable status with the Internal Revenue Service. Top of mind for many who participated in Saturday's 20th annual Honolulu LGBT Pride Parade was the fate of House Bill 444, the civil unions measure. Gov. John A. Burns, a devout Catholic who attended Mass every day, felt his reputation was being unfairly tarnished. He was the subject of warnings, even threats, from clergy and lay members of his own church. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered the Maui County to conduct water sampling and testing off West Maui, saying two studies found "substantial evidence" that wastewater injected into the ground was seeping out of submarine springs off Kaanapali. State Attorney General Mark Bennett, considered a strong possible candidate to be the next Hawaii chief justice, is not seeking the job, leaving Associate Supreme Court Justice Mark Recktenwald as the leading contender for the post. With popular programs such as Summer Fun and the Royal Hawaiian Band saved, the City Council now turns its attention to property taxes, the main source of income for city operations. Hundreds of volunteers took to the streets of Chinatown and got dirty, picking up trash and painting over graffiti. A major road project gets underway Monday in Hawaii Kai. Box jellyfish invade the south and west shores of Oahu. Much of the Big Island has been in extreme drought for nearly a year, according to the National Weather Service. Making tea is a painstaking process requiring a great amount of patience, time and love, but experts say Hawaii's tropical weather and acidic soil provide fertile ground for specialty teas to become a new agricultural industry in the state. In 1810, Kamehameha the Great unified the eight major islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii.

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