Hawaii State Legislature

County asks lawmakers to mull $680 million disaster recovery plan

Originally published by the Hawaii Tribune-Herald; click here to read the article on hawaiitribune-herald.com.

By TOM CALLIS | Wednesday, August 15, 2018, 12:05 am

Hawaii County has increased the price tag of its draft Kilauea disaster recovery plan to $680 million as administrators begin to make their pitch to lawmakers.…

During a meeting Monday, leaders in the Legislature and representatives from Hawaii Island met with county officials to discuss the recovery proposal.

State Sen. Kai Kahele, D-Hilo, said the legislators told Kim they need more information before convening a special session that would be needed to approve more aid. He said the county was given two weeks to come back with more information about what it needs in the short-term for funding and how it has spent the $12 million Gov. David Ige provided for disaster response.

"I think the basic bottom line is the Legislature wants to help," Kahele said. "In what shape or form, we're not sure. We're waiting for the county to tell us what they need."

There were concerns that legislators who represent the disaster area weren't involved early enough in the process, he said.

"The communication between the county administration and the legislators, especially the area legislators, up to this point has not been good," Kahele said.

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Big Island residents want an end to constant 'disruptive' drone of helicopters

Originally published by Hawaii News Now; click here to read the article and watch the video on hawaiinewsnow.com.

Published: Tuesday, August 14th 2018, 5:56 pm HST
Updated: Tuesday, August 14th 2018, 6:45 pm HST

By Ashley Nagaoka

On the Big Island, residents have been complaining about the noise pollution caused by commercial helicopters for years.

But they say it has become significantly worse since the Kilauea eruptions in the lower east rift zone started in May.…

State lawmakers have been pushing for an Air Tour Management Plan for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, as well as other policies, to regulate helicopter tours.

They say Hawaii Volcanoes National Park sees more commercial helicopter flights than any other individual park in the nation.

"There's not much the state of Hawaii can do because the Federal Aviation Administration, ultimately the federal government, controls the air space. So it's either going to require federal legislation, the federal government getting involved with the FAA, the Local Flight Standards district office, or the helicopter tour companies self-policing their operations," said state Sen. Kai Kahele, whose district covers Hilo.

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Hilo Community Economic District Bill Signed Into Law

Originally posted by Big Island Video News; click here to watch the video on bigislandvideonews.com.

A bill that supporters say is the key to revitalizing Banyan Drive and Kanoelehua Industrial Area was signed into law at a ceremony held in Hilo on a rainy Friday afternoon.

Elected officials and East Hawaii business leaders applauded as Governor David Ige signed Senate Bill 3058 outside HPM Building Supply. Hilo State Senator Kai Kahele, who spoke from the podium during the event, has been pushing for the bill since he took office.

Legislature readies passage of Hilo redevelopment bill; Banyan Drive funding left out

Originally published by the Hawaii Tribune-Herald; click here to read the article on hawaiitribune-herald.com.

By TOM CALLIS | Sunday, April 29, 2018, 12:05 am

A bill that would create a sprawling redevelopment district for Hilo under a 10-year pilot program is headed for a vote in the state House and Senate.

Dozens of state parcels in the town are leased for commercial, hotel and industrial uses, and the measure would allow tenants within the district to extend their leases for up to 40 years if they make substantial improvements. A House-Senate conference committee agreed Thursday to the legislation.…

Sen. Kai Kahele, sponsor of Senate Bill 3058, called it a "home run for Hilo."

"It's going to incentivize current lessees and future lessees and start to revitalize and rehabilitate what you see today," he said. "You drive around the industrial area you see dilapidated facades, you see facades falling down."

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The Future of Maunakea

"The purpose of these community presentations is to apprise, educate and provide information so the public and community can make informed decisions on the future of Mauna Kea regarding its proper stewardship and management," said Senator Kahele. "Without question, Mauna Kea is a culturally revered and special place to many of Hawai‘i's people and finding that critical balance, without continuing to divide our communities, is of utmost importance to me. What does not exist today is a vision for Mauna Kea and leadership to bring that vision to fruition.

NĀNĀKULI, O‘AHU
Tuesday, March 6, 2018:
Ka Waihona o ka Na‘auao
89-195 Farrington Hwy.

PUKALANI, MAUI
Wednesday, March 14, 2018:
Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center
91 Pukalani Street
7:00pm to 9:00pm

KAPOLEI, O‘AHU
Thursday, March 15, 2018:
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
Hale Pono‘i
91-5420 Kapolei Parkway
7:00pm to 9:00pm

WAIMEA, HAWAI‘I ISLAND
Tuesday, March 20, 2018:
Kanu O Ka ‘Āina Learning Center
64-1043 Hi‘iaka Street
6:00pm to 8:00pm

HILO, HAWAI‘I ISLAND
Wednesday, March 21, 2018:
Keaukaha Elementary School Cafeteria
240 Desha Avenue
7:00pm to 9:00pm

KAILUA-KONA, HAWAI‘I ISLAND
Monday, April 2, 2018:
West Hawai‘i Civic Center
74-677 Kealakehe Parkway
6:00pm to 8:00pm

KAUNAKAKAI, MOLOKA‘I
Tuesday, April 3, 2018:
Kulana O‘iwi, OHA Conference Room
600 Maunaloa Highway
5:30pm-7:30pm

KALAPAKI BAY, KAUA‘I
Tuesday, April 10, 2018:
Niumalu Canoe Club
6:00pm to 8:00pm

HONOLULU, O‘AHU
Wednesday, April 11, 2018:
Ka Waiwai Collective
1110 University Avenue, #100
7:00pm to 9:00pm

PAPAKŌLEA, O‘AHU
Tuesday, April 24, 2018:
Lincoln Elementary School
615 Auwaiolimu Street
6:00pm to 8:00pm

Senator Kaiali‘i Kahele delivers a speech regarding HB1585 HD1 SD3 on the floor

Sen. Kahele Talks Mauna Kea Management Bill In Keaukaha

The Keaukaha Elementary School Cafeteria was packed on Wednesday night as Hilo residents had their chance to hear about a controversial bill that would dramatically alter the way Mauna Kea is managed.

State Senator Kai Kahele, who spoke in Waimea the night before, shared a lengthy presentation on the history of astronomy development on Mauna Kea. The Hilo senator laid the foundation for his argument in favor of the sweeping Senate Bill 3090 that proposes to create an entirely new Mauna Kea Management Authority.

Should smoking be banned at the University of Hawaii?

Originally published by KITV; click here to read the article on kitv.com.

Posted: Mar 22, 2018 8:13 AM HST
Updated: Mar 22, 2018 8:13 AM HST

"'It's not that we're trying to take away choices of stud[e]nts whether they can or can[']t smoke. [I]t's just advocating a healthy clean environment for everyone.'"

Read the rest of the article on kitv.com.