Akaka Bill inserted into spending measure

U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, has inserted language into a draft of a U.S. Department of the Interior appropriations bill that would federally recognize Native Hawaiians like American Indian tribes.

A Native Hawaiian federal recognition bill has stalled in the U.S. Senate for a decade, and advocates are shifting strategy, trying to advance key provisions of the bill in pieces. The bill is known as "the Akaka Bill" in reference to its main sponsor, U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii.

The language in the Interior appropriations bill builds off a state Native Hawaiian recognition bill approved by lawmakers and signed into law this year by Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

"The Hawaii congressional delegation is committed to federally recognizing Native Hawaiians in the 112th Congress, with the strong support of the governor and Hawaii state Legislature," Peter Boylan, a spokesman for Inouye, said in a statement. "We will continue to pursue a variety of options to effectuate passage."

Inserting the language into a spending bill might make it easier to advance than forcing another debate on a stand-alone Native Hawaiian federal recognition bill. But opponents have already flagged the language.

Faculty, students protest UH’s APEC support

A small but vocal group of about 30 University of Hawaii faculty and students raised objections Wednesday to UH officials’ support for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference.

After marching from the Hamilton Library side of the Manoa campus to Bachman Lawn, they used masking tape to place X’s over the letters of the "E Komo Mai APEC" sign that they want removed from what is regarded as the front yard of the campus. They then returned to Bachman Hall, which houses the UH system offices, and presented a petition with about 150 names demanding the sign’s removal to Rockne Freitas, UH vice president for student affairs and university and community relations.

Freitas said he would hand the petition to UH President M.R.C. Greenwood, who was attending a key Board of Regents meeting in West Oahu at the time of the march.

Man, juveniles arrested in 3 burglaries

Hawaii County police have arrested a Kealakekua man and three juveniles in connection with three burglaries in West Hawaii.

Officers also recovered smoking pipes and clothing valued at $13,620 believed taken during a burglary Sunday at a business in Kainaliu. Police also recovered tobacco products and lighters reported stolen from another Kainaliu business during burglaries Sept. 25 and 27. Items stolen on those dates were valued at $1,700.

Arrested Sunday were Alexander Watai, 19, of Kealakekua, a 17-year-old boy and two 16-year-old boys. Watai was charged with eight offenses, including burglary, theft and criminal property damage.

The juveniles were released to their parents’ custody pending further investigation. Watai was being held in lieu of $15,000 bail.

State slaps gas station with $85,750 fine

The state Department of Health has fined the owner of the West Maui Shell station in Lahaina $85,750 for alleged violations of the state’s underground fuel tank regulations.

The department’s Underground Storage Tank Section issued a Notice of Violation and Order against Kapunakea Partners, the registered owner and operator of the gasoline station.

Violations cited are failure to provide adequate spill prevention equipment; failure to maintain release detection records for the tanks and piping; and failure to maintain and/or test release-detection equipment.

Inspectors found the alleged violations on May 11, 2010. The company has 20 days to contest the order and request a hearing.