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Good evening, Hawaii. Despite strong community support, a bill that aimed to charge tourists fees for certain parks died at the legislature this session and the salvage of the Kuuipo, a boat that ran aground in Lahaina is complicated because it’s near a culturally significant birthing stone. Nationally, the Fed raised its key interest rate by a quarter-point today. However, it also signaled that this may be the last time it raises the rate for a while. Read about the important stories you need to know.
Your Weather Planner
Trade winds are back with some showers possible across the western islands today. A few storms are also possible for interior sections of Hawaii Island and Kauai County through the afternoon. Trade winds will pick up for the end of the week, becoming locally breezy to windy this weekend, with typical windward and mauka showers after today. High Surf Advisories are in effect all south facing shore until Thursday morning for 8 to 12 foot surf.
Watch the latest news from across the country.
Today's Big Stories
1. Hawaii lawmakers fail to pass annual park fee bill for tourists
Hawaii lawmakers failed to pass a bill that would have made tourists help pay for the protection of the state's forests and wildlife even though the idea has widespread public and political support.
Lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled House and Senate did not resolve their differences over the measure's details in time for a deadline at the end of this year's legislative session, which concludes Thursday.
The measure would have required tourists to pay for a yearlong license or pass to visit state parks and trails. Revenue would have paid for the maintenance and protection of parks, coral reefs, forests and wildlife such as dolphins.
About 10 million visitors come to Hawaii each year, while the state’s population numbers just 1.5 million. Many travelers like to hike in the state’s forests, snorkel over its coral reefs and view wildlife, all of which stress the environment.
2. Salvage of grounded Kuuipo at birthing stone in Lahaina begins
Work to salvage the Kuuipo, a boat that ran aground on March 8 in Lahaina, began Tuesday morning, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said in a news release.
The boat is grounded less than 8 feet away from the Hauola stone (birthing stone), the only birthing stone on Maui that’s in the water. According to the release, ali‘i (royalty) would gather at the stone when a chiefess was in labor.
Cultural practitioner Ke‘eaumoku Kapu and his wife, Uilani, observed the salvage operation.
“To Hawaiians, Hauola stone carries the same kind of significance that Plymouth Rock had to America’s first settlers. A silver lining to this grounding is that it’s brought needed attention to Hauola and our desire to educate and inform people about its cultural significance.”
Crews plan to lift the remaining vessel onto shore and remove it on Thursday.
3. Honolulu Civil Beat: Hawaii condo owners aren’t getting much love from the Legislature this year
To supporters of House Bill 176, it seemed like a no-brainer: eliminate a complicated proxy system and make condominium board elections more like state and federal elections by letting condo owners who can’t attend the annual meeting submit write-in ballots.
But like other measures proposed to tweak Hawaii’s condo law this session, the bill, which also would have made it easier for condo owners to vote out bad board members, went nowhere. Facing opposition from condo associations — and lawyers, lobbyists and consultants who work for them — the measure stalled without a vote in the House Consumer Protection Committee.
The idea of mail-in ballots for condo elections seems logical in an age when voters routinely use such ballots to elect governors and presidents, said Karin Lynn, a condo activist who publishes an email newsletter for owners of the Marco Polo condominiums.
But, she said, opponents of change can persuade politicians by simply saying, “There’s nothing to fix.”
It’s not clear who owns the balloon, which has now passed out of Hawaii’s airspace, the official said.
Click on the link above to read more.
4. Baby rhino is a first for Honolulu Zoo
Mama Aria and papa Kendi are the proud parents of a male baby Eastern black rhinoceros born on April 19 at Honolulu Zoo.
Both parents arrived at the zoo in September and November of last year from San Diego, and are a breeding pair as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan.
“We are all so thrilled with the very first birth of a rhinoceros at the Honolulu Zoo,” said Honolulu Zoo Director Linda Santos in a news release.
“We celebrate a successful SSP pairing and are very fortunate to have such a special educational opportunity for our staff to observe Aria throughout her pregnancy and watch her delivery. Everyone is very excited to work with the black rhinos and monitor the baby’s progress and development. Our animal care staff have done an excellent job preparing for the baby’s arrival and it was truly remarkable to see the baby stand, walk and start to bond with his mom within the first hour of being born,” said Santos.
5. 1 dead, 4 hurt in shooting inside Atlanta medical building
Police said a shooter opened fire inside the waiting room of an Atlanta medical facility, killing one woman and injuring four others Wednesday as authorities swarmed the city’s bustling midtown neighborhood in search of the 24-year-old suspect.
Atlanta police said there had been no additional shots fired since the initial shooting unfolded inside a Northside Medical building on West Peachtree Street in a commercial area with many office towers and high-rise apartments.
Atlanta police said the suspected shooter is believed to be Deion Patterson and that he was considered armed and dangerous.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum told reporters that a 39-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The four injured victims were also women, aged 25, 29, 56 and 71.
More than two hours after the shooting, police said they had no information indicating that Patterson was still in the area. They lifted a shelter-in-place advisory, but asked people to stay away from the area due to the active investigation.
6. Fed raises key rate by quarter-point, but hints it may pause hikes
The Federal Reserve reinforced its fight against high inflation Wednesday by raising its key interest rate by a quarter-point to the highest level in 16 years.
But the Fed also signaled that it may now pause the streak of 10 rate hikes that have made borrowing for consumers and businesses steadily more expensive.
In a statement after its latest policy meeting, the Fed removed a sentence from its previous statement that had said “some additional" rate hikes might be needed. It replaced it with language that said it will consider a range of factors in “determining the extent” to which future hikes might be needed.
Speaking at a news conference, Chair Jerome Powell said the Fed has yet to decide whether to suspend its rate hikes. But he pointed to the change in the statement's language as confirming at least that possibility. Powell said the Fed would continue to monitor the latest economic data in deciding whether to pause its hikes.
Your Notes for Tomorrow
Thursday, May 4
- Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report
- National Day of Prayer
- Star Wars Day
- Carrie Fisher honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Star Wars Day
- What: Talk Story at The Lineup
- Where: Wai Kai | 91-1621 Keoneula Blvd., Ewa Beach
- Details: This inaugural talk story session features North Shore lifeguard Luke Shepardson, winner of the 2023 Eddie Aikau Big Wave International, 4-11 p.m. May 4. Get Luke’s autograph on a custom poster, book a surf session with him, enjoy a silent auction, enjoy a Fat Tire Expression Sessions featuring Shepardson and the Hawaiian Water Patrol, then join in the talk story with entertainment. The event supports two nonprofits: The North Shore Lifeguard Association and West Oahu Jr. Lifeguards. Tickets.
- What: Karaoke
- Where: Mala Tavern | 1307 Front St., Lahaina
- Details: Every Thursday night, head to Mala Ocean Tavern for late night karaoke. The kitchen stays open for snacks and cocktails, 10 p.m.-12 a.m.
- What: Throwback Thursday Classic Film Series
- Where: Palace Theater | 38 Haili St., Hilo | 808-934-7010
- Details: This film selection in a new film series showing in May came right out of the suggestion box and will feature the one that started them all, the original George Lucas classic and all-time favorite, “Star Wars: A New Hope,” 7 p.m. May 4. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets. Scroll down to see upcoming classics.
- What: "Siddhartha: Seeker of Truth" a Musical Comedy
- Where: War Memorial Convention Hall | 4191 Hardy St., Lihue | 808-245-8269
- Details: The Kauai Community College Music Department presents a musical comedy of a young man who reads the book “Siddhartha” and is inspired to go on his own journey in search of the meaning of life, May 4-7 and 11-14. Script, music, orchestration and lyrics by Greg Shepherd. Tickets: email shep@hawaii.edu, call 808-482-1455.
For more on these and other events, see this week's HI Out & About.
In Case You Missed It
(Photo courtesy of Department of Land and Natural Resources)
Officials to close Kahaluu Beach Park during coral spawning
Kahaluu Beach Park in Kona will be closed from May 5-12 to allow for an important annual event that helps coral recover and replenish — coral spawning, officials announced.
The closure aims to lessen human activity and pollutants in the water so the bay’s coral reef ecosystem, specifically the cauliflower coral, can rejuvenate without disturbance.
For more information on this annual event, contact the Kahaluu Bay Education Center at 808-895-1010.
