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Hawaii lawmakers are considering a new fee to help HECO’s fire-fighting plan but there was strong testimony against it.

The council scrutinized requests to hire consultants and to improve the county’s communication with the public.

With legislative efforts dead this session, Native Hawaiian leaders remain encouraged by what they’re hearing from elected officials and seeing on the ground.

A monthslong sampling effort turned up elevated levels of copper and zinc but no sign of PCBs or arsenic.

The property owner and local partners had been working on a private venture to develop the land into a new construction and demolition landfill facility.

Former Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa, who had opposed the authority’s creation, was unsuccessful in his bid for the leadership role.

Vegetation-focused legislation is aimed at reducing the chances of another disaster like the Aug. 8 wildfires on Maui.

The measures aim to keep that effort going after the debris removal from the wildfires ends.

Gov. Josh Green’s administration has moved quickly to shift thousands of acres out of DLNR’s control to boost ag production but more remains on the table.

The mayor reiterated his promise to only use the location on a temporary basis.