Wailuku Accident Closes Major Intersection

Maui police report that a traffic accident has closed the intersection of South Alu Road and Iao Valley Road. The incident reportedly occurred shortly befgore 10 p.m. and traffic flowing into and out of Iao Valley - as well as traffic approaching Wailuku Heights from the south Alu Road direction are affected.

No word on any injures or damages, or when the area will reopen to traffic.

(Ingformation Provided by the Maui Police Department)

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County Wellness Program Aims to Lose a Ton - Really!

WAILUKU, Maui, Hawaii - In late January, Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa and Managing Director Keith Regan, serious about good health, announced the creation of the County of Maui's Health & Wellness Program, the goal of which is to get as many employees as possible to rise to the challenge set by this new County Employee Wellness Program and collectively lose more than a ton over the next 6 months.

Partnering with Lollihop.com, this 6-month program places a focus on eating better, moving more and achieving and maintaining an appropriate weight. Employees have formed teams of 6 to do weigh-ins and will track their healthier lifestyle on Lollihop, the newest social health site to lose weight with friends.

Suzanne Xie, successful serial entrepreneur and founder of Lollihop, is very excited to partner with Maui County, Mayor Arakawa and Managing Director Regan, at no charge to the County of Maui. "Health initiatives like this are the beginning of a new movement, and will effect not just the county employees, but the overall community too. We share the belief that a healthier county makes for happier people," Xie said.

Mayor Alan Arakawa said he is looking forward to the challenge. "County workers will be able to do their job better if they are feeling better physically," he said. "Myself included."

A Healthier and Lighter Maui County" will encourage participants to focus on safe weight loss, balanced nutrition, proper fluid intake, and regular exercise. While companies such as Raw Fitness Maui, Fitness 808, and Jenny Craig have recently offered discounts to all County employees and certified fitness professional Michael Labuanan of Maui Sports Conditioning will provide a free workshop and boot camp demonstration, the County continues to seek other companies and organizations to join in on its efforts to create a healthy community.

For sponsorship opportunities, call the Mayor's Special Projects Coordinator at 280-1299.

(Report Provided by the Maui County Office of Information)

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NEWS FLASH - February 18, 2011 1:30 p.m. HST

Crash Closes Honoapi'ilani Highway at Ukumehame

(Editor's Note: The accident occurred shortly after 1 p.m. and was cleared by 1:35 p.m.)

Maui Police have closed Honoapi'ilani Highway - Highway 30 - in the vicinity of Ukumehame due to a "major" vehicle accident. Police say an overturned vehicle is involved.

No other details are available at this time.

(Information Provided by the County of Maui)

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NEWS FLASH - February 18, 2011 12:10 p.m. HST

State's Economy Rebounding Faster than Anticipated

Hawaii's economy will grow slightly faster this year than previously thought, helped by a strong rebound in visitor spending and a better-than-expected recovery in the job market, according to a government report released today.

Overall state domestic product, the broadest measure of economic activity in Hawaii, is forecast to grow by two percent this year, according to a quarterly report released by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. That's up from the 1.8 percent increase predicted in November.

The biggest upward revision among the various economic indicators in the report was visitor spending, which DBEDT now forecasts will grow by 9.2 percent to $12.66 billion in 2011. DBEDT had previously forecast an 8.4 percent increase.

The job market also is improving, with the growth in payroll jobs revised to up 1.3 percent this year from the 1.1 percent rise previously forecast.

"We are encouraged by the continued improvement in our economy, especially with respect to our construction industry," said DBEDT Director Richard Lim.

"We note that the construction industry has started to add more jobs since October 2010 and that the value of commercial and industrial building permits in 2010 increased 32.5 percent," said.

(Report Provided by The Associated Press)

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DLNR Planning Statewide Meetings on Proposed Boating Rule Changes

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), is holding statewide public hearings this month on proposed amendments and additions to its Hawai‘i Administrative Rules for the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation.

These rule amendments to Title 13, Subtitle 11, Ocean Recreation and Coastal Areas, parts 1 and 3, are being proposed to allow DLNR to more effectively manage state small boat harbors and related facilities as well as ocean activities in state waters.

The meetings will be held as follows:
Maui – 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 23 in the Maui Waena Intermediate School Cafeteria, 795 Onehe‘e Avenue, Kahului.
O‘ahu – 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22 in the Benjamin Parker Elementary School Cafeteria, 45-259 Waikalua Road, Kane‘ohe.
Kona -- 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 24 in the clubhouse of the Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club, on the grounds of Honokohau Small Boat Harbor, 74-381 P4 Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua-Kona.
Kaua‘i -- 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 24 in the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Cafeteria, 4431 Nuhou Street, Lihu‘e.
Hilo -- 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 25 in the ‘Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo.

All interested parties are invited to attend and to present their views on the proposed amendments, either orally or in writing. Written statements may be submitted at the public hearings or to the Chairperson at 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 130, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, up to one week following the last public hearing date.

Proposed amendments:
The following sections are being amended:

Relating to Personal Partners -- 13-230-21(adds Personal Partner definition); 13-231-5(adds grace period provision for mooring permit renewals); 12-231-26 (adds Personal Partner definition); 13-231-28 (increases length of stay, includes Personal Partner); 13-231-29 (adds Personal Partner); 13-233-29 (adds Personal Partner and new parking permit category);

Incorporating water sledding activity -- 13-256-18
Pertaining to vessel operations in Hanalei Bay and River -- 13-256-33, 13-256-36,13-256-39

The following sections are being added to implement the Kaneohe Bay Master Plan according to HRS §200-39: 13-256-71, 13-256-72,13-256-72.1, 13-256-73,13-256-73.1, 13-256-73.2, 13-256-73.3, 13-256-73.4, 13-256-73.5, 13-256-73.6, 13-256-73.7, 13-256-73.8, 13-256-73.9, 13-256-73.10, 13-256-73.11, 13-256-73.12, 13-256-77.

The proposed rule amendments can be reviewed on-line on the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) web site located at http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dbor/bordraftrules.htm or can be reviewed in person at the following DOBOR district offices from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except on holidays and State furlough days.

Hawaii District Office 74-380 Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 Telephone: (808) 327-3690
Kauai District Office 4370 Kukui Grove Street, Suite 109, Lihue, Hawaii 96766 Telephone: (808) 245-8028
Maui District Office 101 Maalaea Boat Harbor Road, Wailuku, Hawaii 96793 Telephone: (808) 243-5824
Oahu District Office 4 Sand Island Access Road, #19, Honolulu, HI 96819 Phone: 832-3520

If unable to review the proposed rule change on-line or in person, a copy can be mailed at no charge upon receipt of verbal or written request to: the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, 333 Queen St., Suite 300, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, (808) 587-1972.

The meeting locations are disability accessible. If special needs are required, i.e., large print, taped materials, sign language interpreter, etc., call Clifford Inn on Oahu at (808) 587-1972 at least one week prior to the designated date and time of the public hearings.

(Report Provided by the State of Hawai'i, Department of Land and Natural Resources)

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Governor Getting Earfull from Taxpayers

Gov. Neil Abercrombie says he is speaking for the silent majority when he calls for an unpopular tax on pension income, ending Medicare Part B reimbursements for public-worker retirees and spending cuts to welfare and Medicaid to help balance the state budget. Last night, at a town hall meeting, the governor heard from people who are willing to speak up.

In an informal 90-minute discussion at Pearl Ridge Elementary School, Abercrombie and Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz listened as people explained their concerns about the impact of some of the administration's proposals.

"You used the word 'hammering.' You're hammering me," said Manny Mattos, a retired Honolulu police officer who lives in Village Park and is worried about losing his Medicare Part B reimbursement. "It's devastating for us."

Abercrombie assured him that his Medicare proposal, which is on the rocks at the state Legislature, would not affect him, even though the governor's original proposal would have applied to him. The governor has since said he is open to thresholds based on age, income or retirement date, and lawmakers have indicated they might only end the Medicare reimbursement for retirees after July.

"Are you positive about that?" Mattos asked the governor. "You want to write it down?"

Earl Arakaki, a retired Honolulu police officer who lives in Ewa Beach, said Abercrombie is asking him to give up some of his pension income without fully explaining how he would use the money to balance the budget.

"Part of the problem I have with this is that you won't even tell us how you're going to spend the money you're taking from us," he said. "You haven't submitted a budget, but you expect us to have faith in you that you will spend the money you take from us in a wise manner.

"I just don't have that faith."

Abercrombie, whose initial budget submittal in December was based on figures from the administration of former Gov. Linda Lingle, has outlined how he would reduce the deficit but has not provided lawmakers with an updated budget plan.

The governor said he would turn over a budget to lawmakers next week.

But Abercrombie, wearing a purple aloha shirt and standing just a few feet in front of his critics in the school cafeteria, used the question to launch into a passionate defense of his ideas to close a projected two-year budget deficit of $700 million.

"What I'm asking is, is that we recognize we all have to do a little," he said. "We all have to give a little. We all have to work together a little so that we can survive."

Kathy Ebey, a retired federal worker who lives in Newtown, said the pension changes should apply only to future retirees and not seniors who have planned and saved for their retirement under the existing tax code.

"When you were running for governor, you said you knew exactly how to fix the mess our state was in, and everybody else was stupid because they couldn't figure it out," she said. "But little did we know that you meant increased taxes rather than reduced spending.

"Each of Hawaii's families is expected to live within their income. Why doesn't this apply to the state, also?"

Abercrombie said he would be sure to pass her comments along to domestic violence shelters that had to face spending cuts. Ebey said that she volunteers and told the governor to "suck it up."

"Well, I don't think little kids should have to suck it up, but maybe you and I differ on that," the governor said.

Sandra Thompson, a tax preparer who lives in Aiea, was one of the few who characterized Abercrombie's tax proposals as reasonable.

"You're not asking everyone. You're saying that have a cap, that if you make over a certain amount, you need to help and pay a little bit," she said. "That's all we're asking."

Abercrombie, since his State of the State address in January, has spoken more pessimistically about the state's budget deficit than state House and Senate leaders. State tax collections are rising, and many economists think the state is moving toward recovery, even though a substantial deficit remains from the recession.

The governor described the budget challenge last night as the most difficult since statehood and repeated his call for everyone to share in the solution.

"How can we do this and not hurt people? How can we do this and be fair? How can we do this and ask that we all give a little bit but don't hurt those that are most vulnerable?" he said of the dilemma facing the administration and lawmakers.

Abercrombie said he would not pretend the financial challenge is not dire or resort to what he called tricks, such as delaying state income tax refunds, as Lingle did last year, to balance the budget on paper.

State Sen. Donna Mercado Kim (D, Halawa-Moanalua), who organized the town hall meeting, said area lawmakers try to hold similar events every other month on different topics. Lawmakers invited Abercrombie and Schatz to give their constituents the chance to talk story with the new administration.

"It's timely because of some of the measures that he's introduced to the Legislature to balance the budget," Kim said. "A lot of people are concerned.

"I've been hearing from people about the pension bill and some of the other bills that the governor has introduced."

During his campaign last year, Abercrombie stressed that he would maximize the use of federal money, and assigned Schatz the task of corralling any opportunities available to Hawaii. He suggested several times that federal money was available and that as a former congressman with ties to Hawaii-born President Barack Obama, he was in the best position to deliver.

Last night, however, he acknowledged that the federal government is going through its own financial crisis.

"We're on our own," the governor told the audience. "We have to come up with our own solutions."

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddpledge@staradvertiser.com.

(Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

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NEWS FLASH - February 17, 2011 2:30 p.m. HST

MACC Answers Concert Goers' Questions About Elton John Shows

A week from today will be the opening of the new Yokouchi Pavillion at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. To usher in the new facility, two nights have been booked for concerts by Elton John.

Fielding a series of phone calls, today the MACC issued a list of answers to the most frequently asked questions about the concerts and events surrounding them next Thursday and Friday. Parking, entrance times, food and nearby listening opportunities are addressed in the document. Click here to read them.

(Information Provided by the Maui Arts and Cultural Center)

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'Birthers' Dealt Setback as Obama Certificate Sales Bill Fizzles

A proposal to sell copies of President Barack Obama's birth records to anyone for $100 is going nowhere in the Hawaii Legislature.

The bill died when it didn't get a hearing before a Friday deadline for bills to advance to their final committees.

House Health Committee Chairman Ryan Yamane said Thursday he won't consider the legislation because he doesn't think it's appropriate to sell private information to the public - even if it's the president's birth documentation.

"We shouldn't take knee-jerk reactions. Just because there are these people who want this information, that doesn't mean we should change our state statute so a private, personal record could be accessible for $100," said Yamane, a Democrat.

Hawaii's privacy laws bar the release of birth records unless the requester is someone with a tangible interest, such as a close family member.

So-called "birthers" claim there's no proof Obama was born in the United States, and he is therefore ineligible to be president. Many of the skeptics question whether he was actually born in Kenya, his father's home country.

Republican Rep. Kymberly Pine said efforts to reveal Obama's birth information fuel unfounded suspicions that he wasn't born in Honolulu.

"It's just opening a whole new can of worms again," said Pine, the minority floor leader. "We should just let this die. People have presented as many facts as we can."

Hawaii's former health director said in 2008 and 2009 she verified Obama's original records. Public notices were published in two local newspapers within days of Obama's birth at a Honolulu hospital.

The Obama campaign issued a certification of live birth in 2008, an official document from the state showing the president's Aug. 4, 1961, birth date, his birth city and name, and his parents' names and races.

Bill introducer Rep. Rida Cabanilla said she'll drop the issue after she learned that requests to the state for Obama's birth documents have declined to just a few per week.

"The demand is dying down," said Cabanilla, a Democrat. "If they still got a lot of requests, I could have pushed it more."

Only a handful of people contacted Yamane about the bill, he said. Three or four people from the mainland United States wrote they were skeptical that Obama was born in the United States, and two people from Hawaii said the government should focus on the economy rather than birthers.

Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who was a friend of Obama's parents and knew him as a child, revived the issue in December when he said he wanted to release more of the state's birth information about Obama. But he ended the effort in January when the state attorney general told him that privacy laws bar disclosure of an individual's birth documentation without the person's consent.

The bill failed because it had to reach its final committee - the House Finance Committee - by a Friday deadline for all bills requiring more than one public hearing to advance. But it wasn't given a hearing in the House Health Committee, a required step before it could move forward.

It would have run into many obstacles from lawmakers even if it had cleared the House and moved to the Senate.

"Any plan to sell copies of the president's or anyone else's birth records is a non-starter," said Senate Health Committee Chairman Josh Green, a Democrat. "Rights to privacy issues like this are too important to be taken lightly."

Lawmakers in several other states have introduced legislation aimed at making Obama prove his U.S. nationality by birth before he could be placed on those states' ballots. Those states include Arizona, Georgia, Missouri, Nebraska, Connecticut, Oklahoma and Texas.

(Report Provided by The Associated Press)

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NEWS FLASH - February 17, 2011 11:20 a.m. HST

Kihei Aquatic Center To Close for Maintenance Sunday

WAILUKU, Maui, Hawaii – The Department of Park & Recreation, Aquatics Division announced today that the Kihei Aquatic Center will be closed on Sunday February 20, 2011 for preventative maintenance. But the keiki and training pools will be open from 9am to 4:30pm. There will be no lunch closure.

They apologize to the public for the inconvenience and appreciate their patience during this time. Please call 270-6135 for more information.

(Report Provided by the Maui County Office of Information)

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NEWS FLASH - February 17, 2011 8:10 a.m. HST

High Surf Advisory Still Up for East Shores

1. EVENT: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has continued the HIGH SURF ADVISORY for EAST FACING SHORES of MOLOKAI and MAUI in effect until 6:00 a.m. Friday.

A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach erosion.

2. EFFECTS: Wave heights of 6 to 9 feet can be expected today and tonight.

Forecast surf heights are estimates of the height of the face or front of waves.

A high tide of approximately 1.8 feet is expected between 1:56 p.m. and 3:14 p.m. this afternoon. The next high tide of approximately 2.9 feet is expected between 2:48 a.m. and 4:06 a.m. tomorrow morning.

3. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: BEACH GOERS ARE URGED TO STAY OUT OF THE WATER AND WELL AWAY FROM THE SHORE BREAK DUE TO THE HAZARDOUS WAVE ACTION AND STRONG RIP CURRENTS.

4. INFORMATION: Maui County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates.

NOAA Weather Broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl.

Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200. The same information is available on the Maui County website at www.mauicounty.gov.

(Report Provided by Maui County Civil Defense)

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Japan Halts Whaling - For Now

CANBERRA, Australia - Conservationists and the Australian government said Thursday they were not satisfied with Japan’s suspension of whaling in Antarctic waters and vowed to continue their separate campaigns to force a permanent end to the hunt.

On Wednesday, Japan’s government announced it had suspended its annual whale hunt due to repeated harassment of its whalers by Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ships. It said the suspension began Feb. 10 and would last until conditions were deemed safe.

Australian Environment Minister Tony Burke said there were media reports that Japan was suspending whaling for the rest of the hunting season, which usually ends in late February or early March.

But he said that even if the reports were confirmed, “it is not time to celebrate until we get a decision from Japan that they are stopping whaling for good.”

Australia will continue with its case brought last year before the International Court of Justice in the Hague that claims Japan is breaching its international obligations through the annual hunt, Burke told reporters.

Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson said Japan had no choice but to suspend its hunt because the Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker, which was tailing the Japanese ship Nisshin Maru, had made loading and processing whale carcasses “physically impossible.”

“I think it is premature to see this as a victory for the whales yet,” Watson said in statement. “What we do know is that the whalers will not be killing any whales for the next few weeks.”

Sea Shepherd ships have been chasing the Japanese fleet for weeks in the icy seas, trying to prevent the whalers from filling their seasonal quota of 945 whales. The conservation group has waged it campaign of physical intervention against the whalers for seven years.

The whale hunts, which Japan says are for scientific purposes, are allowed by the International Whaling Commission as an exception to the 1986 ban, but opponents say they are a cover for commercial whaling because whale meat not used for study is sold for consumption in Japan.

Australia has declared the southern seas a whale sanctuary and has long lobbied for an end to whaling there.

(Report Provided by The Associated Press)

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NEWS FLASH - February 17, 2011 6:30 a.m. HST

Tax Code 'Streamline' Could Cost Most Major Deduction in Hawai'i

Nearly 60 percent of Hawaii taxpayers could lose the deduction for state income taxes under Gov. Neil Abercrombie's proposal to streamline the tax code and help balance the budget.

The governor wants to immediately eliminate the tax deduction for higher-income taxpayers and phase it out over two years for lower- to middle-income taxpayers.

The shift in tax policy would generate $64 million next fiscal year, $79 million in fiscal year 2013 and $94 million annually thereafter, the administration estimates.

While the governor's proposals to tax pension income, raise taxes on alcohol and soda, and end Medicare reimbursements for retired public workers have drawn the sharpest reaction, eliminating the state tax deduction could have the broadest application.

The Abercrombie administration estimates that 58 percent -- about 311,470 taxpayers -- itemize on their state tax returns.

Abercrombie, in his State of the State address, called the deduction "an absurdity in the tax code, the elimination of which is long overdue."

Single and married taxpayers who file separately and earn less than $75,000 in federal adjusted gross income a year, heads of households and surviving spouses who make less than $112,500 a year, and couples who earn less than $150,000 a year would lose 50 percent of the deduction next fiscal year and 75 percent in 2013. All other taxpayers who itemize would lose the entire deduction.

A family of four with income of $40,000 a year, according to the administration, would pay $159 more per year in state taxes once the deduction is phased out. A family of four with income of $200,000 a year would pay an additional $1,419.

The current tax code is "a nonsensical policy because basically you're taking a deduction from the same source that is taxing the income," said Dean Hirata, deputy director of the state Department of Budget and Finance. "This policy is irrational and basically poor tax policy. So this is one of the structural deficiencies that we're trying to address with this measure."

Abercrombie has presented state lawmakers with a package of tax revisions and state program cuts to contain a projected two-year budget deficit of $700 million. Many of his ideas have been met with public resistance, but lawmakers will have to decide whether to accept the governor's suggestions or come up with their own proposals to balance the budget.

The Internal Revenue Service gives taxpayers who itemize the option of claiming state and local income taxes, or state and local sales taxes, on federal tax returns. Hawaii is one of nine states that allow deductions for state income taxes on state tax returns, according to a recent analysis by the Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau, but three of those states give taxpayers the choice of deducting either income or sales taxes. Nine other states allow for the deduction of state sales taxes only.

Lowell Kalapa, president of the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, said the state tax deduction is basically an acknowledgment of the state income taxes withheld during the year on workers' paychecks.

"The logic behind the deduction is to recognize that you have not had use of that money, because it went to the state," he said. "It recognizes that the state used your money in the 12 months prior."

Marilyn Niwao, a certified public accountant and attorney in Wailuku, said she understands Abercrombie is in a difficult position with the budget and is asking people to sacrifice. But she said tax deductions help many working families offset their tax burdens.

"I see the working people having trouble right now with paying their bills, paying their mortgages and everything," she said. "So everybody is really hit in this economy. And, yes, it would be nice if everybody can pay their share, but I wish that there are ways to lower the cost of government rather than putting more burden on the working people."

House Minority Leader Gene Ward (R, Kalama Valley, Hawaii Kai) said that while it is good that Abercrombie would phase out the deduction for the middle class, rather than eliminate it all at once, he believes it will take money out of the economy. He said middle-class taxpayers would feel the loss, while higher-income taxpayers may be less likely to invest and create jobs.

"I'm not sure it's going to help other than to get a little money to balance the budget," Ward said. "But in terms of the economy and the economic thrust of it, I think it's going to be a negative and counterproductive."

State House and Senate lawmakers who will be drafting their versions of the budget said they will consider ending the deduction. While some of Abercrombie's proposals have been unpopular and might be rejected, lawmakers believe they do have the options available to close the deficit.

Abercrombie and lawmakers have been resisting a broad-based tax increase, such as raising the general excise tax, because many worry about harming the state's economic recovery. A People's Pulse survey taken by OmniTrak Group Inc. for the Hawaii Business Roundtable and the Pacific Resource Partnership found that 68 percent of respondents opposed raising the excise. It was the second least popular option to reduce the deficit, behind raising income taxes, which 78 percent opposed. The survey was based on telephone interviews with 700 people statewide in January.

Sen. David Ige (D, Aiea, Pearl City), chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said lawmakers have to juggle three related components: revenue generation, such as tax revisions; budget cutting, such as the governor's move to reduce welfare and Medicaid spending; and labor savings, which are entirely up to the governor and public-sector labor unions in collective bargaining.

Abercrombie has said he wants 5 percent labor savings in contract talks with unions.

"You're trying to move forward while juggling these three big pieces," Ige said. "And we have no say on labor savings. We can have a conversation or whatever, but we don't have a say on what that looks like at the end of the day. The only two things that we can deal with are the cuts and the revenue side."

Rep. Marcus Oshiro (D, Wahiawa), chairman of the House Finance Committee, said the House would likely look at some of Abercrombie's ideas along with eliminating general excise tax exemptions, reducing or ending tax credits, and placing a cap on itemized deductions.

"I think, as far as the House goes, given what we've looked at, explored and considered the last several years, I feel we're in pretty good shape," he said.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddpledge@staradvertiser.com.

(Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

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East Shore Surf Advisory Issued

1. EVENT: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a HIGH SURF ADVISORY for EAST FACING SHORES of MOLOKAI and MAUI in effect until 6:00 a.m. Friday.

A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach erosion.

2. EFFECTS: Wave heights of 6 to 9 feet can be expected tonight through Thursday night.

A high tide of approximately 2.9 feet is expected between 2:18 a.m. and 3:36 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Forecast surf heights are estimates of the height of the face or front of waves

3. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: BEACH GOERS ARE URGED TO STAY OUT OF THE WATER AND WELL AWAY FROM THE SHORE BREAK DUE TO THE HAZARDOUS WAVE ACTION AND STRONG RIP CURRENTS.

4. INFORMATION: Maui County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates.

NOAA Weather Broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl.

Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200. The same information is available on the Maui County website at www.mauicounty.gov.

(Report Provided by Maui County Civil Defense)

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Senate Unanimously Confirms Justice McKenna

The state Senate has confirmed Circuit Judge Sabrina McKenna's appointment to a 10-year term on the Hawaii Supreme Court by a vote of 23-0.

McKenna, Gov. Neil Abercrombie's first judicial appointment, will take the seat on the five-member court left open when Mark Recktenwald became chief justice last year.

McKenna, 53, the senior judge of Oahu's Family Court at the Kapolei courthouse, was a state judge in circuit and district courts for 17 years.

The Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee unanimously approved the McKenna's nomination earlier this month.

(Report Provided by The Associated Press)

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NEWS FLASH - February 16, 2011 12:50 p.m. HST

Hawai'i Senate Passes Civil Unions - Governor Promises Signature

The Hawaii Senate took its final step in clearing the way to grant same-sex couples virtually the same rights and privileges of traditional marriage, giving approval today to a bill legalizing civil unions.

Senate Bill 232 was approved by a 18-5 vote.

It now goes to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who supports civil unions and has promised to sign the bill into law.

"I have always believed that civil unions respect our diversity, protect people's privacy, and reinforce our core values of equality and aloha," Abercrombie said in a statement after the vote.

"I appreciate all the time and effort invested by those who shared their thoughts and concerns regarding civil unions in Hawaii. This has been an emotional process for everyone involved, but that process is now ended. Everyone has been heard; all points of view respected.

"For me, this bill represents equal rights for all the people of Hawaii," Abercrombie said.

Hawaii becomes the seventh state to grant civil unions to same-sex couples without authorizing marriage itself. Five states and Washington, D.C., permit same-sex marriage.

"Today is a momentous day," said Sen. Clayton Hee. "There is no denying that by this action Hawaii takes a significant step towards true equality."

Senate Bill 232 allows all couples -- same-sex and heterosexual -- to enter into a civil union, a legal status with all the rights, benefits, protections and responsibilities as traditional marriage.

It is largely similar to a bill passed by the Legislature last year but vetoed by then-Gov. Linda Lingle, a Republican who characterized civil unions as same-sex marriage by another name, which she opposed.

With support for the bill in both chambers again this year, lawmakers sought to take advantage of the consensus and fast-track the bill to the governor and move on to more pressing matters.

Reach B.J. Reyes at bjreyes@staradvertiser.com.

(Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

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More Details Released on Kaua'i Ultralight Crash

The owner of a Kauai powered-glider tour business and a passenger are missing after their small sport aircraft crashed yesterday in the ocean off Kauai's south shore.

Kauai County and Coast Guard rescue personnel searched waters about 200 yards offshore from Kauai Coffee Co. in Kalaheo after a kayaker reported at 11:41 a.m. seeing an aircraft go down, officials said.

The Coast Guard planned to search until midnight last night and resume the search this morning, as will Kauai County personnel. The Coast Guard said the pilot and passenger were wearing life jackets.

The county said the aircraft was owned by Big Sky Kauai, a company that offers tours and lessons from Port Allen Airport.

The pilot of the downed aircraft is Jim Gaither, owner of Big Sky Kauai, Coast Guard Petty Officer Michael De Nyse said.

His passenger is a 49-year-old female visitor, the Coast Guard said. Her name was being withheld pending notification of her family.

According Gerry Charlebois, owner of the Birds in Paradise flight operation and a friend of Gaither's, Gaither was returning from a flight lesson with a student and approaching Port Allen Airport when he was reported overdue.

The craft was an experimental Windsports Edge XT-912L, Ian Gregor, a spokesman of the Federal Aviation Administration, said in a preliminary report. Gregor said two people were killed in the crash.

The company's website said it operates powered hang gliders. The craft — also known as microlights or airborne trikes — have delta-shaped wings similar to those of a hang glider. A cylindrical fuselage in which two people can sit, one behind the other, hangs below the wing. A prop motor is at the rear of the fuselage.

Three companies on Kauai fly powered hang gliders.

Steve Sprague, owner of Kauai Aerosports, said powered-glider flights have been in Hawaii for more than 20 years and that accidents are extremely rare.

Two people died April 21 when a microlight aircraft crashed and sank in Kealakekua Bay. The victims were pilot Tedd Robert Hecklin, 38, owner of Tedd's Flying Adventures in Kailua-Kona, and passenger Kathryn Grace Moran, 37, of Kailua-Kona.

In December a Big Sky Kauai aircraft was damaged substantially, but no one was hurt, when the pilot made a precautionary landing on a golf course near Poipu, according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The incident happened at about 8:30 a.m. Dec. 22 and involved an Apollo AS-III, a special light sport weight-shift control aircraft, the NTSB said. The pilot and a passenger were not injured.

Kauai flight instructors said Gaither is an excellent pilot and were perplexed as to what caused the accident. "It's a tragic, tragic accident," Charlebois said.

Gaither, 55, moved to Hawaii in 2008, Charlebois said. Gaither helped Charlebois with his business as a flight instructor before he started his own company in February 2009, Charlebois said.

In a video on Big Sky Kauai's website, Gaither says he's been flying for 33 years and in three years on Kauai has flown trikes more than 2,400 hours.

"I feel actually better in the air than I do on the ground," he said. "God has blessed me with this passion for flying and it has never left or escaped.

"Anytime I'm on the ground, I'm looking skyward, wishing to be in the air, and when I'm in the air there's no place like being closer to heaven."

Gaither grew up in Minnesota and moved in 1978 to Montana, where he was a building contractor, said his former wife, Sue Gaither, by phone from her home in Great Falls, Mont.

He began hang gliding in the early 1980s, she said.

"He fell in love with the sport, and he's been hooked on it ever since," Sue Gaither said. "It was his passion, and when there would be certain meets around the state, he would always be there."

Gaither also enjoys windsurfing and has surfed reservoirs in Montana and the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon.

"He was always a thrill-seeker," she said.

On Kauai, Sprague and Charlebois canceled their flights scheduled for today out of respect for Gaither.

Following yesterday's 911 call, lifeguards from Poipu went to the site and confirmed what appeared to be wreckage and an oil slick in the water, a Kauai County spokeswoman said.

The Coast Guard launched a C-130 plane, an HH-65 helicopter and a 31-foot boat in search of the two people, focusing their search about 300 yards off the south side of Kauai near Port Allen Airport. Divers from the Kauai Fire Department also participated in the search efforts.

Kauai County said some debris was recovered. The Coast Guard's De Nyse said there were no signs of deployed parachutes.

Sprague, owner of Kauai Aerosports, said he saw Gaither fly over his house in Kalaheo about 30 minutes before he received the call from Charlebois that Gaither was missing.

"The direction he was going, he was heading toward Port Allen. It was the last leg of the flight before going to the airport," Sprague said.

Reach Rosemarie Bernardo and Rob Shikina at rbernardo@staradvertiser.com|rshikina@staradvertiser.com.

(Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

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NEWS FLASH - February 15, 2011 7:40 p.m. HST

Coast Guard Searching for Ultralight Passengers Off Kaua'i

HONOLULU - Coast Guard rescue crews, members of Kauai County Fire Department, Ocean Safety and Good Samaritans continue to search with surface and air assets for two missing people, last seen aboard an ultralight aircraft entering the water 100 yards off Mc Bride Point near Point Allen, Kauai, Tuesday.

A kayaker in the vicinity of Point Allen reported to emergency dispatch that he saw an aircraft crash into the water at about 11 a.m.

Coast Guard Guard Sector Honolulu watchstanders contacted the Big Sky company and confirmed that Jim Gather, the pilot, and a 49-year-old female tourist were overdue 45 minutes from their overflight.

Aircrews aboard an HC-130 Hercules search plane and HH-65 Dolphin helicopter, from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, launched from Oahu and arrived on scene at noon. A 31-foot response boat was also launched from Station Kauai and arrived on scene within 30 minutes of the distress call.

Members of Kauai County Fire Department launched two rescue water craft, one search boat, two divers and a helicopter. Ocean Safety also deployed rescue craft to assist the search.

The Coast Guard is concentrating search efforts in the area around the plane's last reported position. The pilot and passenger were reported to be wearing personal floatation devices and carrying a transponder. The Coast Guard intends to search until midnight and then, resume at first light. No sign of the missing pilot or passenger have been reported.

"We are in close coordination with local, state and federal rescuers," said Lt. Blair Sweigart, response command duty officer.

The Coast Guard urges anyone with information to call Sector Honolulu at 808-842-2600.

(Report Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard)

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Maui Appointees Approved by Legislature

The Hawaii Senate is confirming Kalbert Young as director for the Department of Budget and Finance and Fred Pablo as director for the Department of Taxation.

The Senate unanimously approved them Tuesday as members of Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s Cabinet.

Young will be responsible for managing a state budget with a projected shortfall of about $800 million over the next two years.

Pablo will handle the state’s tax collections.

Young was Maui County’s finance chief since 2004, and Pablo previously worked with him as Maui’s budget director.

They are the sixth and seventh of Abercrombie’s Cabinet nominees to be approved by the Senate. None has encountered much opposition.

(Report Provided by The Associated Press)

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PUC Approves Kaheawa Expansion Of More Than Double Output

(Kahului, Maui, Hawaii) – The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission recently approved a power purchase agreement between Kaheawa Wind Power and Maui Electric Company for an additional 21 megawatts (MW) of wind energy. The project is an expansion of the existing 30 MW Kaheawa Wind farm above Maalaea in West Maui.

When complete, the expanded wind farm will be the largest wind energy project in Hawaii. Under the terms of the contract, Kaheawa Wind Power, a subsidiary of Massachusetts-based First Wind, will sell as-available renewable energy to Maui Electric at pre-determined prices over 20 years. The expanded wind farm will have a combined capacity of 51 MW, with the potential to produce enough energy for the equivalent of 20,000 Maui homes.

The project will also include a battery energy storage system to assist in meeting performance standards and smoothing fluctuations in wind energy output, similar to the system installed at First Wind’s Kahuku Wind project on Oahu. “We’re excited to be able to deliver more clean, renewable energy to the residents and businesses of Maui.” said Paul Gaynor, CEO of First Wind. “Hawaii has a unique appreciation and understanding of the need for clean, home-grown sources of energy, and we’re thrilled we’ll be able to help meet that demand.”

“We are pleased to expand the contribution from First Wind to our portfolio of clean energy resources,” said Ed Reinhardt, Maui Electric president. "In 2010, more than 10 percent of Maui's energy was produced from renewable resources and we look forward to increasing this even more with energy from this wind farm and other projects."

About First Wind
First Wind is an independent wind energy company exclusively focused on the development, financing, construction, ownership and operation of utility-scale wind projects in the United States. Based in Boston, First Wind has wind projects in the Northeast, the West and in Hawaii, with the capacity to generate up to 504 megawatts of power. For more information on First Wind, please visit www.firstwind.com or follow us on Twitter @FirstWind.

About Maui Electric Company
Maui Electric Company, Ltd. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., which also owns Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc. Together they serve more than 95 percent of the population of the State of Hawaii on the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Lanai and Molokai. Hawaiian Electric Company is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Electric Industries
(NYSE: HE).

(Report Provided by Maui Electric Company)

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NEWS FLASH - February 15, 2011 11:05 a.m. HST

Senators Delay Civil Unions Vote

It will be another day - at least - before Civil Unions are taken under a vote by the Hawai'i Senate. Today a spokeswoman from the legislature confirmed that state senators will take one more day to consider the bill before voting.

(Information Provided by the State of Hawai'i, Office of the Legislature)

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NEWS FLASH - February 15, 2011 6:50 a.m. HST

Toy Gun Sales Ban Gets Senate Hearing Today

A proposal to ban selling toy guns to children is getting a hearing in the Senate.

The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee is scheduled to consider the bill Tuesday at 9 a.m. in conference room 229 at the state capitol.

The measure would make it illegal to sell toy guns to anyone under 18 years old, punishable by a maximum fine of $2,000 and 90 days imprisonment.

Toy guns could include everything from water pistols to BB guns. The legislation doesn't provide a definition for a toy gun.

Lawmakers supporting the measure have said the bill's intent is to ensure guns that look real don't get into the hands of children without a parent's permission.

(Report Provided by The Associated Press)

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