Pandemic leads to shrinking enrollment at Hawai‘i schools
An unexpected “disappearance” of thousands of students during the pandemic has some education officials concerned that parents might have withdrawn their children without following procedures mandated by state law, technically making them truant. Star-Advertiser.

Chronic absenteeism spikes across state
The state Department of Education reported that students who missed 15 or more days of school had more than doubled during the 2021-22 school year. Tribune-Herald.

Prosecutors and lawmakers split on need for immediate fix to felony charging law
The Hawai‘i State Judiciary is increasing grand jury panels in each county to deal with an influx of cases in the wake of a recent state Supreme Court ruling, which says that preliminary hearings before a judge do not suffice for bringing charges in cases involving serious felonies, including murder. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i’s dubious practice of taking children without a court order
More than 80% of children taken into protective custody in Hawai‘i are removed from their families without a judge’s approval. That’s not how it works in many other jurisdictions. Civil Beat.

New report shows crime rates up but still low compared to mainland
Violent crime is up in major cities across the country, including Honolulu, according to a new report by the Major Cities Chiefs Association. Honolulu had 15 murders, compared to 104 in Indianapolis, 44 in Minneapolis and 109 in Milwaukee. KITV4.

Hawai‘i’s population decline still tilts toward Las Vegas
Hawaiʻi was a net population loser, but the Neighbor Islands gained nearly a thousand more people than they lost. Honolulu lost 4,000 more people than it gained — with 1,500 kamaʻaina heading to Las Vegas. Hawai‘i Public Radio.

DPP hopes new technology will cut time for permit applications
The city has closed its solicitation period for vendors to bid on installing a new automated system, which is expected to shorten the Department of Planning and Permitting’s approval process by almost three months. Star-Advertiser.

Construction of raised crosswalks to start in Kailua and Kāne‘ohe
The Department of Transportation is installing raised crosswalks on the windward side to improve pedestrian safety. The work is expected to begin on Monday. KITV4.

Conservation officers confiscate 2 boats, illegal lay net in Kāne‘ohe Bay
State officers confiscated more than 1,000 feet of lay net and two small boats from a man near the Ahu o Laka sandbar. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Experts say what happened at the Surfside condo is unlikely to happen here. But they warn condo boards: put off maintenance projects and you’ll end up paying far more… read more.

Instructors ask for feedback on plan for Mauna Kea teaching telescope
The draft environmental assessment, which was published Friday, outlines UH’s plan to erect a telescope within an 18-foot-diameter dome that is connected to an existing building. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

12 months of fury: Current eruption of Kīlauea began a year ago this week
Scientists and residents will celebrate the eruption’s one-year anniversary on Thursday. A geologist with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says they’re still learning about the volcano, while a surge of visitors are flocking to the area. Tribune-Herald.

Wailuku stadium, track to close for 7 months for repairs
The War Memorial Football Stadium and Satoki Yamamoto Track and Field Facility will be closed from Oct. 2 through May 4. Maui News.

A “school within a school” is building community and food security in Hana
It’s not uncommon for schools to have gardens, but what’s taking place at Hana School is of an entirely different scale. Civil Beat.

County announces auction of used equipment, supplies 
The county will conduct a sealed bid auction of items no longer being used by the Department of Water. Kaua‘i Now.

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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsdigest.net).