From The Garden Island:

A law signed in 2010 requiring maintenance of public beach accesses by adjacent landowners is poised to sunset June 30, unless a bill moving steadily at the Legislature is passed.

House Bill 17 deletes the sunset date for Act 160, making it a permanent measure in the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes. The bill cleared the House Water and Land Committee Friday, passed second reading Wednesday and is now en route to the Judiciary Committee.

“That bill is important because what it does, it sets beach access and public right of way, and it protects the public space,” said Rep. Derek Kawakami, D-14th District, who co-introduced the bill.

Landowners, some unknowingly and some knowingly, are letting their landscaped vegetation encroach into public space, taking away beach areas for the public, he said. Read the full story.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

Laupahoehoe charter school seeks hybrid bus

Kauai County Council talks the walk during meeting

Digital is booming at Hawaii public libraries

Kauai teachers join statewide effort for contracts

UH, NOAA to investigate coral disease

Higher court rules due process denied Nobriga

Boat, whale collisions being reported off Maui

Cargo space increasing at Kawaihae Harbor

Kapalua condos sell for $100M — “today the sun is shining”

Island Air’s new ownership

Hawaii County still awaiting settlement over DHHL taxes

Bill would allow higher rates when Maui water low

Ford seeks $30M Kona area shelter, center

Photo of Polihale Beach courtesy keepitsurreal.