Good evening, Hawaii. The Iwilei Resource Center, a medical respite facility that will provide wrap-around services for the homeless community, opened Monday; Kilauea’s latest eruption has paused; and Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami signed an infrastructure-focused county budget bill. Read about the important stories you need to know.
Your Weather Planner
Light trade winds come to an end on Wednesday as they strengthen and become breezy through the weekend. Brief windward showers are possible at night and in the mornings through the second half of the week, with leeward showers possible during the afternoons.
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Today's Big Stories
1. Iwilei Resource Center opens to serve the homeless community
On Monday, the Iwilei Resource Center, Honolulu’s newest medical respite center focused on the homeless community, opened, according to a news release.
The $17 million facility is ready to accommodate 19 patients with services provided 24/7. Services include assistance with hygiene, clothing, medical care, establishing a primary care provider, as well as help with documentation and medical insurance. The goal is to provide patients with permanent housing within one month.
“Homelessness is complex — effective solutions require a team effort and multiple strategies for success. This new medical respite center is one necessary component,” said Honolulu Emergency Services Director Jim Ireland in the release. “I can’t thank our Emergency Services Department Deputy Director Ian Santee, all our C.O.R.E team members and government partners enough for helping us make this a reality.”
The Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement Program has already established care with the initial patients entering the facility. C.O.R.E. will be the primary team to identify new patients, but will also work with hospitals for patient referrals, according to the release.
2. Kilauea volcano eruption pauses
Volcanic activity at Hawaii’s Kilauea has paused, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s Monday evening update.
The eruption started Wednesday, June 7, within the Halema‘uma‘u crater in the summit caldera. Fountains of lava reached heights of 200 feet, spewing lava onto the crater floor and creating a “lava lake.”
On Monday afternoon, effusion and lava fountains from the last remaining eruptive vent rapidly declined. Until this time, the lava effusion from this vent was vigorous. After the vent stopped erupting, circulation in the lava lake slowed. Some previously erupted lava continues to flow on the crater floor.
3. Kawakami signs Kauai budget bill with emphasis on infrastructure
Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami signed the fiscal year 2024 budget on Friday, paving the way for the county to catch up on deferred maintenance, shave debt and provide a measure of tax relief for residents.
The budget appropriates funds for an operating budget of $311.4 million and a capital improvement budget of $87 million.
The budget places special emphasis on infrastructure. More than 90% of the nearly $40 million in the new General Fund CIP will go toward maintenance, solid waste and wastewater projects. The budget allocates $15.5 million for repaving and $18.5 million in CIP-related road costs.
4. Redo ordered in neighborhood board election
The Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board Sub District 11 will hold a re-vote after a computer glitch prevented votes from being cast for a week during the original online election.
The original election ran from April 28 to May 19 and ended with Dylan Buck defeating incumbent Paige Altonn, 17-14, for the Sub District 11 seat. However, some voters reported having difficulty submitting their online votes for the race during the first week of the voting period, according to the Neighborhood Commission Office.
An online repair was completed by the Department of Information Technology during the election and all votes thereafter were successful. However, 28 people who were unable to vote during the first week did not attempt to cast online ballots following the fix.
The new election will take place from Wednesday, June 21, to July 7. Pin numbers and new passcodes will be mailed to voters living in Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board Sub District 11 beginning on Tuesday.
The Sub District 11 re-vote will be conducted online. Anyone who previously requested a paper ballot or needs help with voting online should contact NCO at 808-768-3710 or nco@honolulu.gov.
5. Trump classified documents trial set to begin in August
A federal judge in Florida has set a trial date for former President Donald Trump's classified documents case.
District Judge Aileen Cannon scheduled the trial to begin on Aug. 14 and run for two weeks, according to a court filing released Tuesday morning. Per the filing, the trial will be held at the U.S. District Court in Fort Pierce, Florida, and all pre-trial motions must be filed by July 24.
Federal prosecutors allege Trump illegally retained national defense information and then conspired to obstruct the government’s efforts to retrieve the documents. He was indicted on 37 charges earlier this month, becoming the first former president to ever face federal charges.
Trump pleaded not guilty. He’s called the indictment “the most evil and heinous abuse of power in the history of our country” and accused the Biden administration of pursuing the case as a means of “election interference.” President Joe Biden is the favorite to secure the Democratic nomination in 2024.
In an interview with Fox News on Monday, Trump said that he "had boxes" and wanted to sort through them to separate personal items, but was "very busy" and needed time to remove things like "golf shirts, clothing, pants, shoes."
Your Notes for Tomorrow
Wednesday, June 21
- Summer Solstice — longest day of the year and the first day of summer
- Fed Chair Powell presents Monetary Policy Report to House Financial Services Committee
- World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report launch
- NASA Administrator Nelson opens new Earth Information Center
- Court hearing for Peter Navarro, charged with contempt of Congress
- Prince William celebrates 41st birthday
- 75th anniversary of the vinyl LP
- International Day of Yoga
- Ukraine Recovery Conference in London
- What: 2023 Wildest Show Concert Series
- Where: Honolulu Zoo | At the corner of Kapahulu Ave. and Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki | 808-926-3191
- Details: Honolulu Zoo presents its summer concert series featuring live performances and fun pre-concert family activities such as Conservation Stations, animal-themed drawing contests and animal trivia. Performances are 6-7 p.m. every Wednesday: June 21: Nathan Aweau; June 28: Makaha Sons; July 12: Sean Naʻauao; July 19: Darren Benitez and Kainani Kahaunaele; and July 26: TheBrews and Keilana. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.; food and beverages will be available for purchase. $10/Honolulu Zoo Society members, $15/non-members, $5/keiki 3-12 years. Proceeds support the refurbishment of the zoo’s family playground.
- What: ‘Beneath the Surface: Marine Life of Hawaii’ Exhibition
- Where: Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center | 2841 Baldwin Ave., Makawao
- Details: A community art exhibition celebrates marine biodiversity featuring a nudibranch sculpture by Hui Noeau’s 2023 Artist in Residence Gar Waterman, along with artwork created by Maui’s school children, and marine-themed art by local artists. Gallery hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Visit the Hui Noeau website for an array of classes to bring out your inner artist.
- What: ‘Daniel Van Zyle: A Celebration of 50 Years Exhibiting’
- Where: Volcano Art Center Gallery | Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Details: View the original paintings and lithographs created by Van Zyle throughout his decades of making art. Exhibit is free, park entrance fee applies.
- What: Bring a Friend to Weed Night
- Where: Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge | State Hwy. 56 and Lighthouse Rd., Kilauea | 808-828-1413
- Details: If you and anyone you know loves birds, plants and lighthouses, head to Kilauea Point NWR to weed out invasive plants and conclude the day by watching the birds return home to the refuge at sunset, 4:30 p.m. June 21. You’ll also be observing the summer solstice!
For more on these and other events, see this week's HI Out & About.
In Case You Missed It
During the Global Launch Ceremony, Indigenous Pacific partners, pwo navigators and hundreds in attendance shared well wishes for a safe journey and a commitment to connect nations around the world to care for the oceans. (Photo courtesy of the Polynesian Voyaging Society)
Moananuiakea Voyage is underway, with first stops in Alaska
With eyes on the sky above and distant horizon, the crew aboard the voyaging canoe Hokulea were finally clear to depart from Statter Harbor in Juneau, Alaska, at 4:15 a.m. (Alaska Time) on June 18. The Moananuiakea Voyage circumnavigation of the Pacific has begun.
Having reached the first of seven stops in southeast Alaska after a 12-hour sail, the crew is in Angoon to engage with the Native Alaskan community. Upcoming stops include Kake, Petersburg, Wrangell, Ketchikan, Metlakatla and Hydaburg.
Pending weather conditions, Hokulea has plans to depart Hydaburg on July 15 and then will enter the waters of British Columbia.
Join the journey at the PVS website or by following @hokuleacrew on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.