Legislators race against crossover deadline
The legislative calendar is littered with deadlines, and a big one looms this week: first crossover. If one chamber (the House or Senate) is going to send a bill to the other chamber to become law, the measure has to pass the originating chamber by first crossover on Thursday.
To allow time for possible amendments, both chambers will be racing Tuesday to vote on their bills before sending them over. Look for lengthy floor sessions in both chambers that day.
Also this week:
» Red Hill tanks: The leaders of the House and Senate committees on health, energy and military affairs will convene an informational hearing Friday to get an update on fuel leaks at the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility. Representatives from the Navy, the state Health Department and the Honolulu Board of Water Supply will attend.
» Majority packages: The Democrats in both chambers introduced groups of bills aimed at thwarting invasive pests, making life easier on seniors and addressing climate change. They will be priorities to get swift passage before crossing to the other chamber.
» Minimum wage: Bills in the House and the Senate are moving to raise the minimum wage, but details differ in each measure. The big difference is the tip credit, which the House proposes raising to $1 from 25 cents.
High-surf warning in effect until 6 p.m.
A large northwest swell has prompted a high-surf warning for areas of Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Niihau, Maui and the Big Island until 6 p.m. Monday.
Forecasters predict surf of 20 to 30 feet along north and west shores of Kauai and Niihau, and the north shores of Oahu, Molokai and Maui; 14 to 22 feet along west shores of Oahu and Molokai; and 10 to 15 feet along west shores of Hawaii island.
Meanwhile, a high-wind warning for the summit areas of the Big Island has been extended through 6 p.m. Monday as an upper-level trough approaches the island.
Westerly winds are expected to reach 50 to 75 mph, with gusts of up to 85 mph, according to the National Weather Service. A winter-weather advisory also remains in effect until noon Monday for summit areas above 12,000 feet.
Motorcyclist killed in crash with car
A 55-year-old Makawao man whose motorcycle collided with a car Saturday afternoon has died, Maui County officials said.
Police said a 69-year-old man driving south on Baldwin Avenue in a Nissan Versa crossed left of center just before 1 p.m., colliding head-on with a Kawasaki motorcycle headed north.
The motorcycle driver suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center, where he died. The car driver, also from Makawao, was taken to Maui Memorial with minor injuries.
Officials said the identity of the motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet, is being withheld until his next of kin can be notified.
Police said the car driver was wearing a seat belt and that the vehicle’s airbags deployed.
The incident is Maui County’s second traffic fatality this year, compared with one at the same time last year.
Lei contest to be featured during Merrie Monarch
HILO » A lei-making contest will be held in Hilo during the Merrie Monarch Festival next month.
The contest celebrates native species, Hawaiian culture and sustainable picking practices.
Lei will be judged on craftsmanship, creativeness, uniqueness of material and complexity. There are three main categories: traditional, contemporary and feather lei.
Entries will be displayed at the Wailoa Arts and Cultural Center from April 19 to 25.
The contest, Kauluwehi 2014, is sponsored by multiple divisions of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Three Mountain Alliance and the Wailoa center.
