Every day, I’m scouring the Internet for land use and environmental news from around the state and around the world that means something for us here in Hawaii. Noteworthy today: TheBus fares are rising and Maui maxes out its renewable energy.

• Fares on TheBus are about to go up.
• Maui Electric Co. has closed the circuit to new renewable energy systems in the Kaunakakai area, the Molokai Dispatch reports.
• The Kauai County Council has requested that the island’s mayor include members in the implementation of the Energy Sustainability Plan.
• A Big Island builder is seeking more time to finish the Pahoa project.
• Scientists have discovered high levels of toxic metals in whales. (hat-tip)
• A new project called Vac From The Sea seeks to make vacuums from the Pacific Garbage Patch.
• The first lawsuit has been filed against the Cape Wind project, citing endangered species as a reason to not proceed.

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