UPDATED: The City Council chair has issued a statement saying the move is procedural and that ultimately Malaekahana will not be in the urban area, but supporters of more housing are still encouraged.

Hawaii Rep. Gene Ward promises "there will be strict ground rules enforced to make sure this is a time of reasoning together and does not become a shouting match."

But access is still restricted due to new emergency rules approved by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.

The Hawaii Public Housing Authority was severely shortchanged by the governor and the Legislature for money to repair vacant units. Unions also blocked continuation of a civil service exemption for maintenance crews, a program that was helping reduce the backlog.

Townsend previously served as executive director of the Outdoor Circle and interim executive director for KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance

The commission plans to vote on Jeffrey Pearson's nomination on July 15.

The number of condos sold hasn't been this high since June 2007.

Sen. Glenn Wakai reunited with Yoko Boughton, who lives in Okinawa.

The complaint alleges that burning sugar cane violates the Hawaii Environmental Policy Act (HRS Ch. 344) and several provisions of the State Constitution.