Probe focuses on Kaiser High principal

Kaiser High School Principal John Sosa has been placed on paid leave as the Department of Education conducts an investigation.

It’s unclear what the investigation entails.

"The department has initiated an internal investigation, and at the appropriate time, we will comment," department spokeswoman Donalyn Dela Cruz said Wednesday in an emailed statement.

Sosa, who has led the Hawaii Kai school since 2008, could not be reached for comment Wednesday evening.

He was nominated in May by the Hawaii Association of Secondary School Administrators for the 2014 MetLife/NASSP High School Principal of the Year award. The group cited Sosa’s efforts introducing the prestigious International Baccalaureate program at the school and boosting the number of students taking Advanced Placement courses.

Bicycling proponent seeks Council seat

Hawaii Kai certified public accountant Natalie Iwasa announced she will run for the City Council’s 4th District seat representing East Honolulu.

Iwasa, 51, is a member of the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board. A longtime proponent of making Honolulu "bicycle friendly," she’s been nicknamed by some at City Hall as "Bike Mom."

Iwasa is also a former member of the city’s Real Property Tax Advisory Commission, among other community organizations.

She lists as her priorities the budget, homelessness infrastructure, land use and overdevelopment, as well as government transparency.

Iwasa is seeking the seat now held by Councilman Stanley Chang. Chang has announced he intends to forgo a re-election bid to run for the congressional 1st District seat.

Rental car facility wins OK on Maui

A proposed structure to consolidate car rental companies at Kahului Airport has cleared a hurdle.

The state Office of Environmental Quality Control has determined that a proposed car rental facility would cause no significant environmental effect to nearby wetlands or protected species such as the Hawaiian hoary bat, Hawaiian stilt and Blackburn’s sphinx moth.

The Maui News reports the facility would house all rental agencies in one three-level structure that also will provide airport employee parking on its roof, freeing up parking in front of the airport.

Its main function would be for rental car pickup and return. Airport officials say the facility will be designed for 1,500 to 2,000 rental vehicles.

The project is scheduled to go to bid Oct. 17. Transportation officials would like construction to begin in March.