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By Andrew Walden @ 2:11 PM :: 214 Views

In Chile, where science is appreciated, UH Telescope discovers visitor from outside solar system

Maui Council panel recesses secret vacation rental deliberations until July 23

MN: … The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee reconvened its deliberations on Bill 9 at 3:43 p.m. Wednesday after a closed executive session that went on for more than six hours. Later, the panel recessed until 9 a.m. July 23.

The committee, chaired by Council Member Tasha Kama, began its much anticipated review and deliberations on Bill 9 at 9:04 Wednesday morning and went into a closed executive session to confer with County attorneys at 9:22.

After returning to open session this afternoon, Kama said the committee would “more than likely” recess until July 23. And that decision became final when she gaveled the meeting recessed around 4:30 p.m….

Read … Update: Council panel recesses vacation rental deliberations until July 23 : Maui Now

Leadership overhaul continues at the Hawaii Tourism Authority

TW: … All members of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) board of directors have resigned, clearing the way for Gov. Josh Green to make new appointments.

In June, Green asked for all board members, including recently appointed board chair Todd Apo, to resign. As of July 2, they have all done so. It is expected that the governor will appoint new board members as the next step in his plan for a fresh start.

A lot has changed at the Hawaii Tourism Authority in a few short months. Following the March departure of interim president and CEO Daniel Nahoopii and board chair Mufi Hannemann, a bill introduced in the legislature, which would restructure HTA, advanced.

Senate Bill 1571 passed the house and senate in May and was signed by Hawaii Gov. Josh Green into law as Act 132 on May 29. Some of the changes to Hawaii Tourism Authority's structure include stripping the board of its power, by changing it from "a policymaking" board to an "advisory board of directors." The director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism has been removed as a member of the board; and the new law allows the House speaker and Senate president to appoint a member….

HNN: Entire HTA board resigns amid calls for new leadership, direction

Read … Leadership overhaul continues at the Hawaii Tourism Authority: Travel Weekly

Hawaii solar companies say Trump’s proposed tax credit cut is a blow to business

HNN: … President Donald Trump’s budget bill, advancing through Congress this week, sharply reduces access to a 30% tax credit for solar and wind power projects.

To get the subsidy, certain materials have to be made in the U.S., and construction must begin within the next year.

As homeowners scramble to secure systems before the incentive could sunset, some installers reported their calls have tripled. Ongoing permit delays across the islands are complicating the process….

Read … Hawaii solar companies say Trump’s proposed tax credit cut is a blow to business

Big Island soda theft case highlights mental health treatment gaps

HNN: … Prosecutors say he’s a habitual property crime perpetrator with seven petty misdemeanor theft convictions since 2023.

“Brady Johnson is an adult, but he’s stuck in a situation where he could be locked up forever, unless we do something, just for stealing a Coke,” said Eric Seitz, Johnson’s attorney.

“Before that, he stole an umbrella, a water pistol, and a first aid kit from Walmart, and he was put in jail for that for a number of months,” Rae said.

“The big thing is that people do not understand mental illness. They do not understand,” she added.

Rae said her son needs help and is not violent.

Seitz said two community treatment centers are willing to take him in, but the first one isn’t available until September, so for now, he remains behind bars.

“So rather than have him released onto the street where he’ll just go back to where he was before, he’s actually really doing well even though he’s locked up, which is kind of a unique situation,” said Seitz.

“The mental health system in Hawaii right now, it’s broken,” he added.

Read … Big Island soda theft case highlights mental health treatment gaps

Crime On Oʻahu Is Down Except In One Category — Murder

CB: … Violent crime was down 24% from 2019 to 2024, according to statistics on the department’s data dashboard. Violent crimes include aggravated assault, murder and non-negligent manslaughter, robbery and forcible sex offenses. 

The numbers were down in all categories except murder and non-negligent manslaughter which rose 82% over that five-year time period.

The increase was largely driven by a spike in violence in the Westside’s District 8, which stretches from ʻEwa to Kaʻena Point. Murders more than doubled there over the last five years. 

Last year was particularly deadly with 12 murders reported. That includes four deaths that resulted from a mass shooting on Waiʻanae Valley Road over Labor Day weekend…

Murders also increased significantly in District 7, which is East Honolulu from Punahou Street to Makapuʻu Point. There were six murders reported there last year, up from one in 2019. …

Read … Data Dive: Crime On Oʻahu Is Down Except In One Category — Murder - Honolulu Civil Beat

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