Today’s Hawaii News 4/30

Donovan Dela Cruz plays hardball with vacation rental tax bill opponents
The Senate Ways and Means chairman is threatening to kill 15 other bills in order to get senators to flip their votes and revive Senate Bill 1292. Civil Beat.

McCartney’s DBEDT nomination heading to Senate
State Sen. Glenn Wakai recommended that the full Senate not confirm Mike McCartney to lead Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism during a hearing Monday, accusing him of poor communication with the Senate, lacking a vision for DBEDT, being short on details when it comes to policy matters and not following through on commitments.Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Ige signs firearms reporting bill
Under HB 720, gun owners are required to report lost, stolen or destroyed firearms to the county police department within 24 hours of discovering the loss, theft or destruction of the weapon.Garden Island.

Ariyoshi receives high honor from state
Lawmakers inducted Former Governor George Ariyoshi into the Aloha Order of Merit at the State Capitol Monday. It is an honor earned by providing extraordinary service to Hawaii while embodying the Aloha spirit. Since its inception in 1993, just one other person has received the honor, the late Senator Daniel Akaka. KITV.

Investigators to examine wreckage of a helicopter crash that left 3 dead
Federal and local authorities are teaming up to figure out how a tour helicopter spun out of control and crashed nose-first on a busy Kailua roadway, bursting into flames and killing three people. Oneawa Street remained closed on Tuesday morning, almost a day after the crash, where investigators continued to examine the wreckage and debris that were still scattered across the roadway. Hawaii News Now.