DOE faces scrutiny over teacher raises

A new measure could end HI-5 recycling
Rep. Roy Takumi, who introduced the measure, created it after hearing from older constituents about the difficulties of transporting recyclables. He said, with blue recycling bins at most homes on Oʻahu, there’s really no need to incentivize recycling. KHON2.

Visitor drownings are up, bill aims to aid prevention
Ocean drownings are the leading cause of death for visitors to Hawaiʻi, according to a study on drownings by the Department of Health. A new proposal is hoping to save lives by requiring stricter regulations and more training for crews on tour boats. KHON2.

Prison oversight commission has a full plate
Members of the new prisons oversight commission say they want to prioritize ways to ease jail and prison overcrowding, reentry programs, parole, transparency in the board’s proceedings, restorative justice and policies that lead to too many people being put behind bars — among other things. In its inaugural meeting Thursday, five commissioners were sworn in and shared their initial vision. Civil Beat.

Amid a temporary truce over TMT, Hawaiian activists turn their attention to politics Opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope say they want more Hawaiians voting and in office. “Before the momentum dies down, we’re asking everybody to get involved in politics and to make sure that all of this anger and energy and unity that has been created by Mauna Kea is put to a public and beneficial use,” said Hawaiian activist Walter Ritte. Hawaii News Now.

As climate change takes hold, the tropics will get warmer faster
Global warming is often thought of as, well, a global phenomenon. But the world is actually warming at different rates ― and new research from a University of Hawaiʻi professor is helping shed light on why. Hawaii News Now.

City: Those who died on Oʻahu streets last year ranged in age from 19 to 88
Some 127 homeless people died on Oʻahu streets last year, according to a new analysis from the city Medical Examiner. Hawaii News Now. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

In face of opposition, BOE shelves plans to move Kaʻahumanu Elementary
The state Board of Education Thursday rejected a proposal to move the school from Kīnaʻu Street to new facilities that would be built on the 46-acre campus of nearby McKinley High School. The current 4-acre elementary school campus would then have been available for commercial purposes, such as teacher housing. Hawaii News Now. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Rediscovery of WWII bomber off Oʻahu raises hopes for recovery of remains
Crystal clear video shows new images of a World War II aircraft sitting on the ocean floor about three miles off the Kāneʻohe coast. The Grumman TBF Avenger crashed after colliding with another military plane during a training flight in 1942. Hawaii News Now.