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Today's Big Stories

1. State, city target illegal game rooms

The state and city are intensifying their efforts to address illegal game rooms with a pair of measures aimed at attacking the problem from multiple angles.

Last week, the Honolulu City Council adopted Resolution 143, which establishes a Gambling Room Task Force to advise and assist the Council in identifying and developing solutions to combat the “ongoing proliferation” of illegal game rooms in the city.

“Until recently, there were over 100 illegal game rooms on Oahu, each of them bringing violence and drug abuse into our communities near our families,” said Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, who co-introduced the measure with chair Tommy Waters. “This isn’t an issue that can be solved tomorrow. It needs to be solved today. The council’s game room package is one part of this solution. This task force is another. It brings together everyone who can make a difference — police, inspectors, community members — so that we can act in lockstep in eradicating this issue once and for all.”

The five-member task would be composed of representatives from the Honolulu Police Department, Department of Planning and Permitting and Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, as well as two members appointed by the Council. The task force would be required to submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Council.

The Council has yet to decide on three other gambling-related measures introduced last year.

2. Residents urged to return home after crews declare Hanapepe fire 100% contained

Firefighters have contained a wind-swept wildfire that was threatening about 200 homes in Hanapepe, Kauai, authorities said late Monday night, and an evacuation notice for the area has been lifted.

The fire burned 1.56 square miles of land between Hanapepe and Kaumakani, the County of Kauai said in a social media post. Firefighters said one building — a shed that wasn't attached to a home — was destroyed by the fire.

The fire was reported around noon in the Hanapepe area, about 3 miles to the east of Kaumakani, Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami said Monday. It was spreading fast, and officials warned residents in the Kaumakani area of the need to flee by activating a siren system and sending authorities door-to-door as well as notifying them by phone calls and texts, Kawakami said.

The blaze was fully contained just before midnight, officials said. Kauai Fire Department crews stayed on site to maintain a fire watch, and sensors were installed in the area to detect any flare-ups.

The Department of Water, or DOW, has lifted the conservation notice for Hanapepe, Waimea and Kekaha customers.

3. Increased funding approved for biosecurity

The state’s efforts to address the spread of invasive species like little fire ants, coconut rhinoceros beetle and coqui frogs will get a boost this year with record biosecurity funding passed by the state Legislature and approved by Gov. Josh Green.

Under the freshly signed Act 230 (formerly House Bill 1800), state general fund appropriations will increase to $9.2 million from $6.2 million. Lawmakers said the dramatic increase in funding reflects the urgency of addressing threats to the state’s agricultural and horticultural resources.

“This legislation is a necessary step in our long-term plans for the protection of Hawaii’s unique ecosystems and our agricultural industries,” said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. “We’re grateful to Gov. Josh Green and his administration, the Hawaii State Legislature and community stakeholders for working in concert with the Department of Agriculture to meet our pressing needs.”

The funding from ACT 230 adds to $10 million contained in Act 231 (formerly HB 2619), which was signed last week. 

Act 231 requires the HDOA to lead and coordinate the state’s invasive pest control and eradication biosecurity efforts, establishes certain reporting requirements and appropriates funds for biosecurity programs and initiatives.

4. Hawaii County commits to addressing opioid crisis with a $478,400 investment

At a Monday morning press conference in Wailuku, county officials offered an overview of the continuing 574-acre blaze while urging residents to remain vigilant.

“This fire is not out,” stated County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety Chief Brad Ventura. “We will be up there continuing to work on hot spots.”

Originally reported just after 6 p.m. July 10, the fire is currently 80% contained as personnel from multiple agencies have been working to contain the fire in difficult terrain at roughly a 7,000-foot elevation. The area is mostly on Haleakala Ranch land that includes ravines, gullies and dense patches of eucalyptus trees.

The terrain combined with the unpredictable weather has been a continuing challenge, but there have been no evacuations or reports of injuries or damage to structures.

He said since the fire began, state, county and private water tankers have helped to move over a half-million gallons of water uphill. On Friday and Saturday, Hawaii National Guard aircraft dropped over 63,000 gallons of water on the fire, mostly in a eucalyptus grove on the mauka side of the fire.

Helicopters are also being used to move portable water totes along the fire line and shuttling firefighters to different areas of the fire. Ventura said firefighters with hand tools are hiking in to fight the fire using water from the portable totes which is “extremely physically demanding.”

5. Board of Land and Natural Resources denies Kaneohe kayak rental business a contested case hearing

Hawaii Island Mayor Mitch Roth formally committed Monday to support the work of the Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force and its fiscal sponsor, the Big Island Substance Abuse Council.

Over two years, a $478,400 investment available through a partnership between the County of Hawaii and the Hawaii State Department of Health will address the growing opioid crisis on the island, according to a county news release.

Funding was made possible through the State of Hawaii’s share of the National Opioid Settlement Funds that come from settlements reached with various pharmaceutical companies and distributors held responsible for their role in the opioid epidemic.

The DOH allocated a portion of these funds to Hawaii County to support local initiatives. 

Your Notes for the Tomorrow

Wednesday, July 17

• President Biden addresses UnidosUS annual conference
• UK’s King’s Speech at State Opening of Parliament  
• U.N. Security Council debate on the Middle East
• 10th anniversary of Eric Garner's death
• 2024 GOP National Convention continues
• Primetime Emmy Awards nominations announced
• 10th anniversary of Malaysia Airlines jet shot down over Ukraine
• Annual Perseids Meteor Shower visible