Permission to kill Hawaiian birds?

As plans for a second North Shore wind farm are finalized, at least one environmental question lingers: How much collateral damage of threatened species is acceptable?

According to a proposed “incidental take” permit, turbine-deaths allowed during a 20-year period include: four Hawaiian ducks and adult Hawaiian stilts, respectively; four Hawaiian short-eared owl adults and four chicks; four adults and two Newell’s shearwater chicks; six nene; eight Hawaiian coots and Hawaiian moorhens, respectively; and 51 Hawaiian hoary bats. As compensation, the energy company would pay for research and habitat restoration protection for the birds and bats.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now extending a public comment period on the matter through Dec. 19.

Cost of police chief’s woes start to add up

The legal storm surrounding Honolulu’s police chief has a new price tag — up to $150,000. That’s the amount of money approved by a Honolulu City Council committee to hire outside attorneys to defend Chief Louis Kealoha in four lawsuits filed against him and the Honolulu Police Department.

Of course, that doesn’t include the cost to the city to defend itself against Kealoha, who is suing over actions taken against him and his wife Katherine by the Honolulu Ethics Commission.

The whole thing is “somewhat complicated,” said Councilmember Ron Menor. Not to mention expensive.