Hawaii

A federal judge rendered a split decision in an environmental lawsuit brought against Honolulu's $5.2 billion elevated rail project, but did not order a halt to construction.

Because of Hurricane Sandy, Maui County, Hawaii, postponed the competitive sale of $70.1 million in general obligation bonds to Thursday at 1 p.m.

Honolulu priced $913 million of bonds Thursday in a combined new money and refunding offering and said taxpayers saved more than $75 million.

Maui County will sell bonds competitively, citing high underwriter interest and increased transparency, according to financial advisor Curt de Crinis and Danny Agsalog, county finance director.

Honolulu plans to sell $890.36 million of general obligation bonds during the week of Oct. 22 with Bank of America Merrill Lynch as Underwriter.

Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle dedicated the third and final boiler at the $302 million H-Power power plant that burns garbage to make electricity.

Moody's Investors Service removed general obligation bonds of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands from review and confirmed the speculative B2 rating.

Moody's Investors Service upgraded the Guam Power Authority's senior revenue bonds to investment grade.

Hawaii lawmakers criticized tax report that recommends raising taxes to solve unfunded pension liability issue.

Honolulu is pricing up to $300 million in sewer bonds Sept. 20 to help fund a $3.5 billion long-range capital improvement plan.

An adverse ruling from the Hawaii Supreme Court regarding archaeological surveys for native Hawaiian burial sites has halted construction on Honolulu's $5.16 billion elevated rail project.

Moody's Investors Service has affirmed its Aa2 rating on $4.9 billion of Hawaii's general obligation bonds.

Hawaii officials said Wednesday that continued strength in the visitor industry this year will boost economic growth at a rate that was faster than previously thought, according to the Honolulu Star Advertiser.

Hawaii legislators went into overdrive this week as the close of the session approached this Friday, but they did so without seeming to make great strides toward agreeing on the state’s $11 billion supplemental budget, according to Hawaii Civil Beat.

After years of stops and starts on a $5.3 billion elevated rail system first conceived 45 years ago, the 20-mile Honolulu transit project appears to be rolling along.

Honolulu’s plans to build a 20-mile elevated rail system appear to be clearing funding hurdles despite staunch opposition from mayoral candidate and former governor Ben Cayetano.

LOS ANGELES — The Honolulu Board of Water Supply priced $85.2 million of bonds Wednesday, achieving an expected net savings of $7.15 million over the life of the bonds.

LOS ANGELES — Hawaii legislators advanced two bills on Friday intended to help St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii reopen two Oahu hospitals, one of which would provide the system with $80 million in special-purpose revenue bond authority.

Hawaii's governor wants to use the premium gained off a recent bond sale to help replenish reserve funds, but the state's social agencies think the money should be used to fund their programs.

In anticipation of a $5.3 billion rail project coming in under budget, Honolulu transit authority officials are contemplating adding additional features to the system like a fare gate system, according to published reports.