Helping The Homeless In Hawaii – Hawaii News Digest

Pilot program to help homeless people in Hawaii may get permanent status.

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Accessed on 15 March 2022, 2034 UTC.

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3.15.22

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Pilot program to help homeless people in Hawai‘i may get permanent status
A state-funded program that has helped more than 1,300 homeless people transition into permanent housing but is due to expire next year may be extended through 2028, according to draft legislation being considered by the Hawai‘i Senate. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Supreme Court to hear reapportionment dispute today
Attorneys for the state Reapportionment Commission and a citizen coalition challenging its maps will square off in oral arguments before the Hawai‘i Supreme Court. West Hawaii Today.

Advisory panel: Hawai‘i tsunami warning center in need of ‘urgent’ overhaul
A government advisory panel said the nation’s tsunami warning system, including the one designed to protect Hawai‘i, is outdated and in need of major upgrades. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Home Lands survey shows half of respondents would trade their waitlist spot for $100K
This comes as Hawaiʻi lawmakers consider legislation that could provide DHHL with $600 million to address the more than 28,000 Native Hawaiian beneficiaries on the waitlist. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Legislature advances bill to legalize sale of raw milk among other farm measures
It’s the farthest the raw milk measure has made it in Hawai‘i despite the past six years of trying. Bills relating to the sale of raw milk have been opposed by the Department of Health and other agencies due to health risks. Civil Beat.

Bill advances that aims to use the state’s general fund to build preschools
The bill proposes to allocate an unspecified amount of money from the state’s general fund to the school facilities authority for the construction of preschool facilities. KITV4.

State-sponsored retirement savings proposal advances at Capitol
Senate Bill 3289 would create a state-sponsored payroll-deduction enrollment for qualified, private sector workers — whose employer may not offer a retirement plan. Hawaii Public Radio.

Median sales price for a single-family home on Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Maui is over $1.1M
Kauaʻi reported the highest median sales price at $1.3 million — up from $940,000 in January. Hawaiʻi Island had the lowest median sales price at $515,000. Hawaii Public Radio.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE
20 for the Next 20 2014: Where Are They Now?
In 2014, Hawaii Business Magazine profiled 20 rising leaders in insurance, academics, tourism, tech, energy and other sectors. We caught up with them to find out what they are doing now… read more.

OʻAHU

New Honolulu revenue boosts Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s city budget
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s second annual State of the City address, slated to be delivered this morning, is expected to lay out top priorities that include more money for police and a focus on homelessness and affordable housing. Star-Advertiser.

Dispute at core of corruption case, lawyers argue
The federal criminal case against three former top city officials is a disagreement between the assistant U.S. attorney prosecuting the case and the city’s procedures for processing a $250,000 severance agreement for former Police Chief Louis Kealoha, according to defense attorneys. Star-Advertiser.

City workers exposed to Covid face deadline for seeking hazardous duty pay
Under their union contract, some city employees ― like lifeguards and Board of Water Supply employees ― can be eligible for a 15 or 25% pay boost for Covid-related hazard pay. But Honolulu firefighters and police have separate hazard pay rules that don’t include exposure to Covid. Hawaii News Now.

SPONSORED BY HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC

Revitalizing Communities with Streams and Sunlight

At the center of this Hawaiʻi of Tomorrow piece, a continuous stream feeds life everywhere it flows. Local artist Kate Wadsworth also highlights a vibrant neighborhood of the future with self-sustaining food sources and a close-knit community. “Revitalizing Communities with Streams and Sunlight” pays homage to the restoration of Indigenous systems that have existed for generations in Hawaiʻi… read more.

HAWAIʻI ISLAND

Maunakea bill still alive in Senate
House Bill 2024 would establish the Mauna a Wakea Stewardship Authority that would take over management of all Maunakea lands above the 6,500-foot line and establish a 10-person board comprised of at least three Native Hawaiian members. Tribune-Herald.

UH seeking public feedback on its updated Maunakea Comprehensive Management Plan
Along with the Master Plan and Administrative Rules, the management plan is one of the primary tools that guide UH’s stewardship of Maunakea. Big Island Video News.

County offers home repair loans
The Office of Housing and Community Development is accepting applications to its Residential Repair Program. The RRP is a low-interest loan program available to eligible low-and moderate-income homeowners. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Now.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Inside the Vault at ‘Ulu‘ulu Archives
“What makes film archives really unique places is the ability to make history much more engaging,” says Janel Quirante, head archivist at ‘Ulu‘ulu, which means collections, assembly or gathering. “Being able to see people’s faces and hear their voices telling their stories is a much more visceral way of experiencing history... read more.

MAUI COUNTY

Paper applications to end as county launches automated permit system
Maui County will no longer take paper permit applications after March 28 as it prepares to launch a new automated planning and permit processing system on April 18. Maui News.

$23 million secured for realignment of Honoapiʻilani from Ukumehame to Launiupoko
The new earmark funding will be used to realign 4.5 miles of Honoapi‘ilani Highway from Ukumehame to Launiupoko to make it safer and more resilient to the impacts of coastal erosion and climate change. Maui Now.

In-home audit offered to low income Maui families to trim energy bills
A program that aims to lower the power bills of low income Maui Island families through energy-saving home improvements is being offered through Maui Economic Opportunity. Maui Now.

KAUAʻI

Kawakami’s State of the County: Investing in Kaua‘i
Reflecting on his last three years in office, Mayor Derek Kawakami, in his fourth State of the County address on Monday, is offering a more-optimistic projection of the upcoming fiscal year and holding onto his past promises to keep the county on track with investing in services and maintenance. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i quit using oil to produce most of its electricity years ago. That’s paying off now
Oil prices are surging due to the Russian invasion, but the island’s dwindling reliance on fossil fuels is helping to stabilize utility bills. Roughly 70% of Kaua‘i’s electricity grid is powered by renewables, which means the predicted oil price increases due to Russian sanctions would only apply to about 30% of the utility’s power generation. Civil Beat.

51 Anahola lots going to Home Lands Beneficiaries
The 51 lots represent the second phase of the Pi‘ilani Mai Ke Kai subdivision project, which will ultimately include a total of 171 lots. The lots will be provided to beneficiaries vacant, and they will be responsible for constructing their own homes on the land. Garden Island.