HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu’s largest homeless shelter says the number of homeless in the downtown area has declined for the first time in four years. Oahu homeless population falls ADVERTISING HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu’s largest homeless shelter says the number
Oahu homeless
population falls
HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu’s largest homeless shelter says the number of homeless in the downtown area has declined for the first time in four years.
The Institute for Human Services said in a statement Thursday the 2012 Point in Time Count showed the homeless population dropped 10 percent from last year.
The number of chronically homeless downtown declined 11 percent.
IHS says it helped 565 people move from the shelter to transitional or permanent housing in 12 months through June 30.
Poll: Hirono has lead over Case
HONOLULU (AP) — A new Hawaii poll shows U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono with a double-digit lead over former U.S. Rep. Ed Case in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.
Ward Research Inc. conducted the poll July 12 through Saturday for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and Hawaii News Now. It has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.
The poll has Hirono ahead of Case 55 percent to 37 percent.
The results are nearly identical to a poll released in February.
The winner of the Aug. 11 primary is likely to face Republican former Gov. Linda Lingle in November in the race to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka.
Abercrombie declares disaster for Kauai highway
HONOLULU (AP) — Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed a disaster declaration that will allow the state to make emergency repairs to a critical highway on Kauai that was damaged by waves last week.
Waves eroded about 15 feet of Kaumualii Highway’s shoulder from July 16 to 19.
The governor’s office says continual wave action will undermine the pavement and the sewer force main running beneath the highway.
Abercrombie said Wednesday the health, safety and welfare of Kauai’s people and the local economy would be endangered if the highway were to close or if the sewer force main were lost.
This highway is the only route to the west end of Kauai, the county landfill, the wastewater treatment plant and the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands.
Hawaii health care group funding raises concerns
HONOLULU (AP) — A group being formed to handle health care reform in Hawaii is raising concerns that its funding has come exclusively from insurers and hospitals.
The Hawaii Healthcare Project is a public-private partnership aimed at controling rising medical costs and improve overall health.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Thursday Hawaii Medical Service Association contributed $200,000, Ohana Health provided $100,000 and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii donated $80,000. Hawaii Pacific Health and Queen’s Health Systems kicked in $80,000 each.
Larry Geller is president of Kokua Council, which advocates for good government. He says it’s troublesome that insurers are dominating the effort.
Similar conflict of interest concerns were raised earlier this year with the appointment of three health insurers to the 15-member board of Hawaii’s first health insurance exchange.
WestJet to offer seasonal Alberta-Hawaii flights
HONOLULU (AP) — Canadian carrier WestJet plans to offer seasonal flights between Alberta and Hawaii.
WestJet announced Thursday it has leased two Boeing 757-200 aircraft from Thomas Cook Airlines to offer more nonstop service between Calgary and Honolulu and Maui, and between Edmonton and Maui.
Pending regulatory approval, the flights are scheduled to begin December 13 through April 21.
The Honolulu flights will be twice a week. Flights between Calgary and Maui will be four times a week. Flights between Edmonton and Maui will be three times a week.
WestJet flight attendants will be on the flights, while Thomas Cook will provide the aircraft and pilots.
Visitors from Canada have been strong contributors to Hawaii’s tourism economy.
Visitors to Hawaii climb 10 percent in first half
HONOLULU (AP) — Officials say Hawaii welcomed 10 percent more visitors in the first half of this year compared to last year. Travelers to the islands increased their spending here by 21 percent.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority said Thursday 3.9 million visitors arrived in Hawaii from January through June and spent $7.1 billion.
HTA President Mike McCartney says the trend is putting the industry on course to post a record breaking year.
McCartney says airlines are bringing more travelers to Hawaii by adding flights and routes.
He says this will continue in the second half of the year as Allegiant Travel, Asiana Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines add flights to the state.
Oahu “sexting” defendant gets 5 years’ probation
HONOLULU (AP) — The first person in Hawaii to face criminal charges for “sexting” has been sentenced to five years of probation.
Former middle school teaching assistant Cody Onizuka reached a deal with prosecutors that guaranteed him no jail time and no requirement to register as a sex offender.
But the Honolulu Star-Advertiser (http://bit.ly/M9bFsN) reported Wednesday Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario ordered the 26-year-old to undergo sex offender treatment, as recommended by Onizuka’s probation officer.
Onizuka was charged with possession of child pornography and violating a restraining order for providing a 12-year-old girl from Niu Valley Middle School a cellular telephone.
His indictment says Onizuka convinced the student to send him nude photographs of herself through the phone.
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