Governor Neil Abercrombie is two appointments shy of rounding out his list of 16 cabinet positions. Director selections must still be made for the Department of Health and the State Attorney General.

The State is seeking nominations to the Commission on Water Resource Management.  A Nominating Committee will screen the applicants and send to the Governor the names of at least three individuals for a single open position. The Water Commission is composed of seven members that have jurisdiction and final authority on matters relating to implementation [...]

A Final Environmental Assessment has been accepted for the planned Heritage Hall in Paia. The multi-purpose cultural and community office complex is being planned in partnership between the Maui Puerto Rican Association and the Portuguese Association of Maui. Plans call for construction on less than an acre of land located next to the old Paia [...]

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) proposes the introduction of a moth (Secusio extensa) into Hawaii as a natural enemy and biological control agent for the fireweed plant. Fireweed is an invasive plant that is toxic to livestock, and quickly infests heavily grazed or neglected pastures, and even cultivated land. The release of the moth [...]

The Board of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands, holds a hearing today for the proposed Advanced Technology Solar Telescope planned for construction atop Haleakala on Maui.  The meeting gives the public an opportunity to provide testimony on the project’s Conservation District Use Application. Some concerns that have been raised are [...]

A 1,200 gallon wastewater spill was reported Monday night in Lahaina on Maui.  The overflow was reported at 7 p.m. when rags and debris blocked flow in a mainline. Wastewater flowed from a manhole on the corner of Lahainaluna Road and Paunau Place, along the roadway, and into a storm drain.  The flow continued to [...]

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) is warning restaurants about a health inspector scam in the islands.  The DOH Sanitation Branch on Maui reported three incidents, and two reports were filed on Oahu.  The incidents involve a male caller who contacts local restaurants claiming to be from the local Health Department investigating a complaint.  [...]

Hawaii’s recycling redemption rate dropped to 76 percent this year, following a 79 percent high in 2009.  The current rate represents more than 685 million containers recycled during the 2010 fiscal year.  The program began five years ago to reduce litter and conserve resources.  Under the program, consumers are charged a total of 6 cents [...]

A wastewater overflow on Market Street Monday night has since been cleared and disinfected.  The 630 gallon spill was caused by a blockage in a mainline and flowed from the street into a storm drain that connects to an open ditch.  No wastewater reached the ocean. The incident was reported at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, [...]

The state Department of Health says a mild outbreak of the H1N1 flu affected a number of students at a Maui school.  The department called the outbreak a mild one, but said it serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and recommended vaccination dosage. A number of affected students who attended the school [...]