New & Noteworthy: Big Island Dairy; Lanikai Land Grab
Big Island Dairy: The cows are gone and the site has been cleaned up, at least to the satisfaction of the state Department of Health. The Big Island Dairy near O‘okala, on the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island, has been … Continued
New Directors of Housing, Planning In Hawai‘i County Tied to Developers
Mitch Roth, the newly elected mayor of Hawai‘i County, made supporting business one of his key promises to voters. Roth was regarded by many as a steady hand, having held the elected post of county prosecuting attorney for the previous … Continued
Longline Fishers Propose Gear Changes To Mitigate Bycatch of Protected Species
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council held its 184th meeting in December – virtually, as necessitated by the ongoing pandemic. None of the highly dramatic and controversial issues that have characterized many of the council’s meetings over the decades were … Continued
Board Talk: KIUC Permit; Kahala Hotel Permit Appeal
Board Continues Revocable Permits For Kaua‘i Utility’s Water Diversions On December 11, the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) barely mustered enough votes from the Board of Land and Natural Resources to secure a revocable permit to divert water from Wai‘ale‘ale … Continued
High Court Ruling Favors ‘Aina Le‘a On Question of Statute of Limitations
The Hawai‘i Supreme Court has rendered a decision that closes a chapter in the ongoing litigation over the planned ‘Aina Le‘a development. On December 17, the court ruled that the statute of limitations under a “catch-all” provision in state law … Continued
Honolulu Climate Commissioner Floats Bold Changes to Construction Standards
Last year, environmentalists and the development community jockeyed over bills aimed at revamping the City & County of Honolulu’s energy code and parking regulations to help mitigate or minimize climate change effects. In testimony to the City Council, organizations such … Continued
Ditch Managers Fail to Meet Terms Of Lauded Kauaʻi Stream Agreement
In April 2017, the state Commission on Water Resource Management voted to adopt the terms of a mediated agreement intended to end the years-long conflicts over the diversion and waste of stream water via the Kokeʻe and Kekaha ditch systems … Continued
Board Talk: Trash Hauler Faces Fine; East Maui Water Permits Renewed
Land Board Fines Trash Hauler $62,000 for Leaving Full Roll-Offs On State Land Being contrite might have helped, but John Guinan, Jr., owner of The Trash Man, LLC hauling company, chose to fight. He ended up with a fine nearly … Continued