Honolulu News (BETA)

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary will host a series of free public workshops around the state beginning Nov. 6 to educate boaters about safe boating practices around the endangered whales.

A Honolulu man has agreed to plead guilty to operating a casino-type gambling operation that grossed $3 million from 2003 to 2005 and forfeit more than $1 million in cash and property in exchange for federal prosecutors dropping charges against his wife.

Investigators from three agencies yesterday continued trying to learn what set off a powerful explosion Tuesday afternoon at PSC Industrial Outsourcing Co.'s facility in Campbell Industrial Park in Kalaeloa, killing a 23-year-old welder from Waipahu and hospitalizing three workers.

Six fishermen were rescued from a disabled vessel about six miles north of Kane'ohe's Mokapu Point at 6 a.m. yesterday by a U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat, the Coast Guard said.

The state Board of Education passed one of the deepest budget cuts in recent memory after hearing last-ditch pleas to save school programs and positions from the chopping block.

MILILANI (KHNL) - Hawaii's public school students and teachers react to major cuts, passed by the state Board of Education. It approved to slash $46.5 million Thursday night, which is about 15 percent of the DOE's discretionary budget.

HONOLULU (KHNL) - You've probably heard 'laughter is the best medicine' and for one former cancer patient, it may just be the remedy. Now she's bringing humor and hope to other cancer patients.

HONOLULU (KHNL) - Olympic gold medalist Bryan Clay will be on hand at several speed training clinics throughout Hawaii. If you want to meet Bryan, here's a schedule of where he'll be.

HONOLULU (KHNL) - Special Olympics Hawaii has been looking for new ways to raise money to meet today's economic challenges. Members of our own KHNL News team get dunked in ice cold water, to raise money for the cause and preview this coming February's Polar Plunge.

HONOLULU (AP) - The state Board of Education has slashed $46 million, or almost 15%, from its upcoming 2-year budget to cope with lower-than-expected tax revenues.

The state Board of Education met into the night considering lopping $46 million from the 2009-2011 public school budget.

Officials have begun preparing an environmental impact statement for a proposed telescope on Mauna Kea that would the be the largest in the world.

The 28th Annual Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival runs from Oct. 9-18.

Customers are spending their money in value stores like the local chain Price Busters during these tough economic times.

Firefighters rescue a man after he falls off a cliff near Halona Blow Hole.

There's a movement to get more children to walk or bike to school. And if everyone jumps on board, kids will be safer and healthier. Let's face it. Parents feel better if their kids are driven to school, even if it's within walking distance, because of safety issues.

Sluggish economy spurs competition ahead of shopping season

In what could be the largest cut in history facing the Department of Education, more than 200 jobs and dozens of educational services could be eliminated.

Many people may think if they have a will, their family obligations are complete. Financial experts say there is more to asset guardianship than a will.

Flavored drinks to outdoor gliders are on this week's list of recalled items. Blue Cat flavor drinks by Tristar are being recalled from asian grocery stores nationwide.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District awarded more than $219.9 million in contracts in fiscal year 2008.

Harbor Court Bistro has lost its appeal of a decision by the Honolulu Liquor Commission not to issue it a permanent liquor license.

Sporting News has ranked Honolulu No. 95 in its annual “Best Sports Cities” rankings.

Wells Fargo & Co. has received rapid approval from federal antitrust regulators for its $15 billion purchase of Wachovia Corp. (WFC) (C) (WB)

Hawaii stocks were mostly down on Wednesday after Wall Street’s worst week ever. (MLP) (NUT) (HE) (AXB) (BOH) (CPF)

WAILUKU — Piilani Highway reopened ahead of schedule on Sunday, Oct. 5. Drivers are reminded to proceed cautiously. The roadway that connects the remote communities of Kaupo and Kipahulu had been closed for nearly two years following the Oct. 15, 2006 Kiholo Bay earthquake.

LANAI — Sol P. Kaho‘ohalahala is running against John Ornellas for the Lanai seat on the Maui County Council. The candidates answered detailed questionnaires for the Haleakala Times. Their responses are posted below.

LAHAINA — During two recent Saturday mornings in September, school teachers from West Side schools were seen walking the streets of Lahaina while escorted by members of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation (LRF) Program Committee.

WAILUKU — The Maui Young Business Roundtable will hold a Candidates’ Forum at Iao Theater on Monday, Oct. 20, at 5:30 p.m. The event will give the general public a chance to learn the general election candidates’ positions on a variety of issues.

The state Board of Education late last night approved cuts of about $50 million to the schools budget.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority board has appointed one of its staffers to temporarily lead the organization after the controversial resignation of Rex Johnson.

WAIMEA, Hawaii » Mauna Kea has some of the best atmospheric conditions in the world to build a proposed Thirty Meter Telescope, but a desert mountain in Chile is also in competition for the $1 billion facility, project officials say.

A highly competitive $1 million National Science Foundation grant was awarded to a Kewalo Marine Laboratory program to train underrepresented Pacific island and native Hawaiian students in biological sciences.

State Human Services Director Lillian Koller has become the first Hawaii public official to win a national award as "Public Official of the Year" from Governing magazine.

WAIMEA — Local church officials took the latest step in an ongoing effort to apologize for and redress the hardships caused by the missionaries’ role in the late-19th century overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom when they conveyed two properties to a native Hawaiian congregation Saturday.

KALALAU — State Department of Land and Natural Resources officials, concerned about potential danger to campers, said they are investigating the possibility of clearing large loose rocks from a high slope on the western end of the quiet Kalalau Beach on the North Shore.

Theresa Koki, the county anti-drug coordinator, wields a double-edged sword.

Diana Oyakawa said she can sleep now that the Lihu‘e Christian Church bazaar is over. Hats off to all the people who worked hard to make it a success.

Monday, Oct. 6 Monday Music in Waimea — A concert will be held at noon until 1 p.m. on the first monday of every month for 2008. The performances will feature all local Kaua‘i talent. The concerts are free. They will be in the town park in Waimea — officially Hofgaard Park — across from Ishihara Market in Waimea on the Westside.

WASHINGTON - The federal government will offer job training assistance and support in finding new employment for 66 workers who lost their field jobs as a result of Maui Pineapple Co.'s decision to shut down its Kahului cannery last year.

Dog owner Jean Southmayd is "very fearful" about walking her dogs in her Pukalani neighborhood after a pit bull attacked her Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Lily, as they were walking home from a nearby park early Wednesday evening.

WAILUKU - The "brave new world" William Shakespeare imagined in his play "The Tempest" will look like Lanai and the Big Island in a major motion picture adaptation of the masterwork, set to begin filming in the islands in November.

"Two bedroom, 1 bath older home on a small lot that is zoned industrial - access to property is by footpath only. Being sold as-is - fixer upper. $200,000."

KIHEI - Kihei's original resort, the Aston Maui Lu, is to close next month and lay off 41 employees in the process. The sprawling complex of multilevel apartments and individual bungalows has become dilapidated as redevelopment plans stalled normal maintenance. It will all be flattened.

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) _ One of the first humpback whales of the season has been spotted off Maui. Capt. Alan Steed of the Expeditions ferry says he saw a whale about a half-mile from his vessel around 2:30 p.m Wednesday about three miles off Lahaina.

HONOLULU (AP) _ A Honolulu man has agreed to plead guilty to operating a gambling business that grossed $3 million between 2003 and 2005. Yong Sang Kim will also forfeit more than $1 million in cash and property. He agreed to the plea deal last week.

WAIMEA, Hawaii (AP) _ Officials have begun preparing an environmental impact statement for a proposed telescope on Mauna Kea that would the be the largest in the world.

HONOLULU (AP) _ The Hawaii Tourism Authority's board of directors has named Lloyd Unebasami as the agency's interim president and CEO as it launched a search for a permanent leader.

HONOLULU (AP) _ The Hawaii Tourism Authority is spending another $2 million to bring more visitors to the islands and stem the tourism industry's losses.