Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Tuesday, July 16, 2024 82° Today's Paper


Off the News

 

Off the news: Good news for underserved communities

The State of the City address on Thursday included two updates important to North Shore and West Side parks users. Design work has begun for a “long-promised” swimming pool and recreation center at Kahuku District Park, filling a gap that stretches between Kaneohe and Waialua, the nearest community pools, Mayor Rick Blangiardi stated. And the city is creating new roving park maintenance crews to service Waianae and Ewa Beach parks. “The teams will work when the parks are the busiest, including weekends and holidays,” Blangiardi announced. Read more

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Off the news: Lawmakers urge COFA access to FEMA aid

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono’s Compact Impact Fairness Act (CIFA), signed into law last week with the federal spending bill, has major implications for citizens of Compacts of Free Association (COFA) nations — the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau — who have wrongfully been blocked from access to federal benefits. Read more

Off the news: The high cost of long-vacant city jobs

At the City Council’s hearing Monday on Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s proposed $3.63 billion operating budget, one focus was the perennial issue of budgeted, vacant positions that probably won’t get filled — and in some cases, haven’t been, for years. Read more

Off the news: More transparency for building board

A Honolulu Building Board of Appeals decision last month upholding the city’s stop-work order and revocation of building permits for a “monster house” at 3615 Sierra Drive wasn’t read into the appeals hearing record, as is customary, or posted immediately, justifiably prompting citizen complaints. Read more

Off the news: Hawaii, health care benefit from Benioffs

Salesforce CEO and philanthropist Marc Benioff, with wife Lynne, donated a healthy $150 million toward renovating Hawaii Pacific Health’s Straub Medical Center and bringing much-needed upgrades — including the establishment of a birthing center — to Hilo Medical Center. Read more

Off the news: Take advantage of cheap airfares now

In the midst of all the up-and-down of tourism industry prospects lately, there is this bit of upside — for residents who love travel, as well as the visitors. Airfares as of January were down 6% compared with the previous year, part of a gradual, decade-long decline. Read more

Off the news: Dog attack penalties need more teeth

Senate Bill 2692 establishes a class C felony for a dog attack resulting in severe bodily injury, and class B felony when the attack results in a death — and the Hawaii County Council is all in, issuing a February resolution supporting state action. Read more

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