Public Comment of Vacation Rentals; Hanauma Bay Capacity; OHA Masterplan; Puna Recovery
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Vacation Rental Regulation Plan Finds Little Support from Residents
For several years, state and city lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement on how best to regulate vacation rental services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Home Away.
The Honolulu Planning Commission held a public hearing yesterday on several proposals that would change the way Temporary Vacation Units - or TVU’s - operate on Oahu. Dozens of Oahu residents appeared in person to testify.
Outro Music: Dawn Dance by Alasdair Fraser
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Ecological Impacts of Overuse in Hanauma Bay
For decades now the city has been monitoring visitor counts at Hanauma Bay.
But its overdue for a carrying capacity survey to understand the toil that the thousands of visitors a day may be taking on the bay, particularly the coral which has been degrading over the years.
We talked to City Parks director Michelle Nekota about the need to assess what is happening to the marine preserve. Researchers with the University’s sea grant college are focusing on particular areas of overuse in the bay.
Intro Music: Little Echoes by Jake Shimabukuro
Outro Music: Flying High by McCoy Tyner Trio
OHA Considers Management Plan for Wahiawa Birthing Stones
Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs are taking up a master plan for more than 500 hundred acres in Wahiawa. The land was acquired six years ago to safeguard a rich cultural resource.
Kukaniloko is known as the birthing stones of the Hawaiian royalty. The most sacred and highest ranking ali’i traveled there to give birth on the large stone formation. But in recent years an encampment of homeless has taken hold in the area. Concern for visitors to the area has become an issue after a recent gunpoint robbery.
Intro Music: New South Africa by Bela Fleck
Outro Music: Kalapaki by Keola Beamer
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National Drug Policy Alliance Chief in Hawaii
This weekend marks the 25th anniversary of the Drug Policy Forum. The big milestone is getting medical marijuana dispensaries established in the islands this past year.
In town to mark the anniversary is Maria McFarland Sanchez Moreno - head of the National Drug Policy Alliance. She’s the keynote speaker at a Gala Saturday.
Intro Music: Come Go With Me by Exposé
Outro Music: Nights Off by Siriusmo
Civil Beat Reality Check: Hawaii Man Injured on Amtrack
Police say the Kaiser grad leaped out the window of a moving train in an attempted suicide. His Hawaii family says he was targeted for being gay.
Intro Music: Sweet Oblivious Antidote by Perpetual Groove
Outro Music: Isn't She Lovely by Tom Misch
Hawaii Island Residents Look to the Future Following Disasters
Big Island residents are enjoying blue skies again following the flash flooding of Hurricane Lane and months of heavy vog. While that may be lifting spirits of the community finding a solution to the long-term needs of housing is still a challenge.
Intro Music: Weekend by Smith Westerns
Outro Music: Intro by Yellow Days