Good evening, Hawaii. Here are the main stories we've been following today: 

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Today's Big Stories

1. Kamaka Air CEO confirmed 2 of its pilots died in small plane crash into vacant building near Honolulu airport

A small cargo plane on a training flight crashed into a vacant building shortly after taking off from Honolulu's airport and burst into flames, killing both pilots on board, authorities said.

Kamaka Air Flight 689 crashed into the building at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport at about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

Video shows the plane veering sideways into the airport area at low altitude before slamming into the building, creating a thick, black plume of smoke.

“It is with heavy hearts that Kamaka Air confirms the loss of two members of the Kamaka Air family in an accident,” company CEO David Hinderland told reporters. He said the names of the two pilots have not been released yet.

Hawaii News Now reported that family members identified one of the victims as Hiram Defries, a Punahou School graduate in his 20s who was a pilot in training. KITV reported that the family of the other pilot identified him as Preston Kaluhiwa, a graduate of Kamehameha Schools.

The FAA said the the single-engine Cessna 208 was headed to Lanai Airport, which is in Maui County. Kamaka Air provides freight delivery services for both individuals and businesses, according to its website.

No one else was hurt, the Honolulu Fire Department said. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate, the FAA said.

2. U.S. Senate passes bill to study designating Lahaina as National Heritage Area

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill that authorizes a study on whether Lahaina is a suitable candidate for designation as a national heritage area.

On Dec. 4, the U.S. House passed the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act, jointly introduced by U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, both D-Hawaii. The bill now heads to Pres. Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law. 

The legislation directs the National Park Service to work with Maui County and other state and local partners to study the suitability and feasibility of granting Lahaina a national heritage area designation, which would make the fire-ravaged town eligible for additional federal assistance.

Last year, Pres. Biden signed into law the National Heritage Area Act, which included a Hirono-authored provision for a study to determine if Kaena Point on Oahu would be suitable for national heritage area designation. 

“The Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act is about grounding its rebirth and rebuilding in the history, culture and tradition of the ahupuaʻa that was once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii,” said Tokuda. “I am grateful and proud of the overwhelming bipartisan support our bill received in the House, and humbled and honored by Senator Hirono’s leadership and insistence on getting this passed by the Senate before the end of this Congress. I am hopeful the President will also see my bill as a necessary step forward in honoring and healing our community and in getting Lahaina the recognition she long deserves.”

U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-HI, also co-sponsored The Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act. 

3. New Parkway Village at Kapolei offers affordable housing in West Oahu

Gov. Josh Green, Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters, company representatives and others gathered on Tuesday to celebrate the grand opening of the first phase of Parkway Village at Kapolei.

Developed on city-owned land through a $199 million public-private partnership with Kobayashi Group, Āhē Group, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, and financial partners such as CREA LLC and Bank of Hawaii, the housing project was supported by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program and Hula Mae Bonds.

Parkway Village offers 401 rental homes, ranging from studios to four-bedroom units, for individuals and families earning 30 to 60% of the Area Median Income. This equates to a family of four in Honolulu County earning between $41,760 and $83,250 each year.

Amenities of Parkway Village include three recreation rooms for gathering and entertainment, an outdoor children’s playground and picnic area. There are 641 onsite parking stalls, nine laundry room facilities and professional management services. Monthly rents start at $641 for a studio at 30% AMI to $2,266 for a four-bedroom apartment at 60% AMI. Apartment sizes range from 344 square feet to 1,305 square feet.

The second phase of Parkway Village is scheduled to open in 2025.

Parkway Village at Kapolei offers affordable housing on Oahu's west side. (Photo courtesy of Parkway Village at Kapolei)
Parkway Village at Kapolei offers affordable housing on Oahu's west side. (Photo courtesy of Parkway Village at Kapolei)

4. Registration for city's Spring 2025 classes at district parks begins January

Get ready for the vast array of recreation, education and social opportunities when the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation opens up its 2025 Spring Program for registration in Jan. 2025.

Archery, arts and crafts, ceramics, basketball, boxing, aerobics, water exercise, swimming, volleyball, aikido, badminton, ballroom dance, cooking, photography, bingo, and many more will be open to people of all ages offered in city parks and gardens. For a full list, click “Activities” on the Parks and Recreation Online System website.

Enrollment for both free and paid activities will be available on the same website. The registration schedule for activities is based on the location of the program:

  • Honolulu Botanical Gardens, 808-768-7139 - opens 9 a.m. Jan. 6
  • District 1 Parks (Ka Iwi to Waikiki), 808-768-8944 - opens 5 p.m. Jan. 13
  • District 2 Parks (Makiki to Aiea), 808-768-9292 - opens 5 p.m. Jan. 14
  • District 3 Parks (Waipahu to Makaha), 808-768-6889 - opens 5 p.m. Jan. 15
  • District 4 Parks (Mokuleia to Makapuu), 808-768-8980 - opens 5 p.m. Jan. 16
  • District 5 Parks (Pearl City to Whitmore), 808-768-6940 - opens 5 p.m. Jan. 17

Anyone unable to access the PROS website can opt for walk-in registration at district park offices from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the respective dates listed above.

5. Federal Reserve cuts key interest rate by a quarter-point but envisions fewer reductions next year

The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate Wednesday by a quarter-point — its third cut this year — but also signaled that it expects to reduce rates more slowly next year than it previously envisioned, largely because of still-elevated inflation.

The Fed's 19 policymakers projected that they will cut their benchmark rate by a quarter-point just twice in 2025, down from their estimate in September of four rate cuts. Their new projections suggest that consumers may not enjoy much lower rates next year for mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and other forms of borrowing.

Fed officials have underscored that they are slowing their rate reductions as their benchmark rate nears a level that policymakers refer to as "neutral" — the level that is thought to neither spur nor hinder the economy. Wednesday's projections suggest that the policymakers think they may be close to that level. Their benchmark rate stands at 4.3% after the latest rate cut, which followed a steep half-point reduction in September and a quarter-point cut last month.

"I think that a slower pace of (rate) cuts really reflects both the higher inflation readings we've had this year and the expectations that inflation will be higher" in 2025, Chair Jerome Powell said at a news conference. "We're closer to the neutral rate, which is another reason to be cautious about further moves."

"Nonetheless," Powell said, "we see ourselves as still on track to cut."

Your Notes for Tomorrow

Thursday, Dec. 19

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin annual press conference
  • Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report - Initial Claims
  • U.S. Census Bureau releases latest set of population estimates
  • YouTuber MrBeast hosts competition series on Prime Video with largest prize in TV and streaming history
  • U.S. Postal Service recommended deadline for Priority Mail service for Christmas delivery 

In Case You Missed It

Enjoy the three-course Festive Feast at Mahina & Sun's. (Photo courtesy Mahina & Sun's at Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club)
Enjoy the three-course Festive Feast at Mahina & Sun's. (Photo courtesy Mahina & Sun's at Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club)

 

Ideas for Christmas and New Year’s dining

If you went all out for your Thanksgiving meal and want to take it easy for Christmas, step back by treating yourself and your family to a special pre-made Christmas meal. There may not be any leftovers to savor, but you’ll be able to spend quality time with the ones you love. Christmas will be here in one week so don’t wait too much longer!

Click the link above for a few ideas.