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The 2024 Hawaiʻi legislative session is heading into the home stretch. Both chambers must discuss and agree on changes to measures that have survived this far. Here's how that process works.
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Hawaiian Electric faces its share of recovery costs and legal fees related to the Maui wildfires. State lawmakers are debating whether or not to allow the utility to recoup some of those expenses through securitization — a fancy term for public financing of utility debt. HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote has more.
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Lawmakers are considering a resolution that would address vegetation management to reduce risks of future wildfires. The group would focus on invasive, flammable grasses along utility lines and other vegetation growing on utility poles.
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Sen. Brian Schatz urged lawmakers to pass additional disaster relief funding for Maui and other disaster-impacted communities across the country.
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Honolulu officials have started the process of removing the Haʻikū Stairs from the Koʻolau Mountains. The popular illegal hike, also known as the "Stairway to Heaven," has about 4,000 stairs. Debate has surrounded the removal for decades, heightened by neighborhood complaints of trespassing and noise. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports.
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Mayor Mitch Roth has submitted his proposed $888 million operating budget to the Hawaiʻi County Council for the next fiscal year. The mayor’s budget is up 6.6% from last year. It says $30.5 million of that bump would go to salary increases for employees.
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Two measures that would allow counties to begin phasing out non-conforming use permits for transient vacation rental units passed out of both of their chambers. It would give counties more control over short-term rentals. HPR's Ashley Mizuo has more.
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The operator of a lūʻau in a residential area of Honolulu said he plans to continue his business despite city officials ordering him to stop. At the end of February, the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting gave Karl Veto Baker until March 30 to correct the violation. Baker said he created the lūʻau to bring back representation of Hawaiian culture. HPR's Cassie Ordonio has more.
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The state Legislature is still working on measures addressing marijuana this session — not legalization, but increasing the amount covered by decriminalization. The attention to the regulation of the substance has raised questions about clearing criminal records for marijuana convictions under old laws. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports.
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Anyone convicted of unauthorized driving three times would be guilty of a Class C felony under House Bill 2526. A driver’s vehicle could also be taken away.
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Lāna'i will be getting federally subsidized air service for the first time. Mokulele Airlines and Pacific Air Charters have submitted competitive bids. Both are proposing 42 weekly round trips between Lānaʻi and Honolulu, and 21 weekly round trips to Maui. HPR's Catherine Cluett Pactol reports the selection process is currently underway.
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While Hawaiʻi has one of the highest rates of rooftop solar per capita, multi-family homes face barriers to adoption. Lawmakers are considering a bill that would help condo owners reap the benefits of solar.