HONOLULU (AP) — The Navy says more than 40 ships will be gathering in the Hawaiian Islands this summer for the world’s largest naval exercises.
The Rim of the Pacific drills will begin on June 29 and last through Aug. 3.
The U.S. Third Fleet said in a news release Tuesday six submarines, 42 ships, and more than 200 aircraft will play a part.
Some ships and aircraft will run partially on biofuels in a first-of-its-kind demonstration of the Navy’s development of alternative energy.
Twenty-five thousand people from 22 nations will participate in the exercises, either directly or as observers.
HONOLULU (AP) — A Honolulu city councilman is proposing that grieving families apply for a permit before putting up roadside memorials for their loved ones.
KITV-TV in Honolulu reported Tuesday (http://bit.ly/JcX0Hx ) that the permits would be administered through the city’s Department of Transportation Services.
Councilman Tom Berg is proposing the bill. He says the law would help city crews know when to clean up memorials and who to talk to about retrieving family mementos.
He says the law would also establish guidelines for how long memorials can stay up. He’s proposing 60 days, but says he’s hoping for more input from the public.
Berg says he hopes the law will convey to the public that when their loved ones die, the government is on their side.
Centuries old heiau shrine vandalized on Oahu
HONOLULU (AP) — Vandals recently desecrated a 17th century heiau in Makaha Valley.
KHON (http://bit.ly/IAM9WX ) reports someone sneaked into private property at the shrine and butchered 54 banana stalks and more than 40 bamboo trees on Feb. 28.
They put some stalks on an offering platform and dismantled part of it. They also moved sacred stones.
Witnesses reported seeing two teens with machetes nearby but no one was arrested.
Kaneaki Heiau is believed to be dedicated to Lono, the god of harvest and fertility.
John DeSoto of Mauna Olu Estates, which owns the property, says the vandals are taking away opportunities for others to learn what Kaneaki is all about.
The gates to the property are now closes. A police report was filed but for now the case is idle.
Hawaii teachers union to ask members about strike
HONOLULU (AP) — Members of the state teachers union will also vote on whether to authorize a strike when they cast ballots on a proposed contract later this month.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser (http://bit.ly/KiOVCn ) reported Tuesday Hawaii State Teachers Association?leaders are including the strike authorization question to give teachers a choice.
Leaders are also laying out what some think are the only options left for a union embroiled in a lengthy labor dispute with the state.
HSTA?President Wil Okabe didn’t comment on the strike authorization vote.
Members rejected the same contract by a 2-to-1 margin in January. Union leaders say surveys show members didn’t have enough information on the contract when they voted last time.
Flags flying at half-staff Thursday to honor Viray
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii flags will fly at halfstaff Thursday to honor Chief Warrant Officer Two Don Viray.
Viray was killed April 19 in a helicopter crash in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. Three other Hawaii-based servicemen also died in the crash.
Twenty-five-year-old Viray was born and raised in Waipahu and graduated from Roosevelt High School. He was active in ROTC and enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard before joining the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Wheeler Army Airfield on Oahu.
A memorial service for Viray will be held at Borthwick Mortuary Thursday. He will be interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie sends his deepest sympathies to CW2 Viray’s family and friends.
Feds talk alternatives if HI agency decertified
HONOLULU (AP) — Federal officials have begun considering what they’ll do if the Hawaii state agency that protects historical and cultural sites loses its certification.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports (http://bit.ly/ITyCrC ) the National Park Service sent a letter to Hawaii’s State Historic Preservation Division saying it’s concerned the state agency hasn’t hired more staff or developed an online database of historic and cultural sites.
The division would lose roughly one-third of its $1.9 million budget if it loses its certification.
National Park Service Associate Director Stephanie Toothman says in the April letter that 10 essential jobs haven’t been filled.
The state agency says it has had turnover problems for years and is working to hire more staff. Its administrator says it should be in compliance by the time federal officials review it in February.
Beach business splits Kailua lawmakers, residents
KAILUA, Hawaii (AP) — Lawmakers, business owners and residents in Kailua are split over a new proposal to ban all commercial activity at the city’s beach park.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports (http://bit.ly/ITDLjt ) the ban being considered by the city council would ban all commercial activity at Kailua Beach Park except for filming.
Council member Ikaika Anderson says he expanded the bill after hearing from residents they support the outright ban.
But others think a lack of beach activities like kayaking and wind surfing would keep tourists away from the eastern Oahu town.
The council will hold a public hearing on the proposal on Wednesday.
