From The Maui News:

Mayor Alan Arakawa, Maui County Council Chairwoman Gladys Baisa and former council Chairman Danny Mateo will put their powers of persuasion to the test Friday at the state Capitol.

Coming at a crucial juncture in the current lawmaking session that ends May 2, the county leaders will continue lobbying to convince lawmakers to remove a cap on the counties’ share of transient accommodations tax revenue.

This morning, House and Senate conferees will face off in conference committee on the state budget. What still has county leaders worried is whether lawmakers will balance the state’s budget with money that has traditionally gone to the counties, such as the transient accommodations tax, also known as the hotel room tax.

Arakawa called the lobbying push “the last chance to talk to legislators to make our case.”

Meanwhile, lawmakers will be hovering nearby, all concerned about pet projects for their districts. Read the full story.

Group lobbying lawmakers for Pharmacy School building

Water safety video unveiled at Lihue Airport

Hawaii County property tax hike suggested

UH Palamanui campus passes another hurdle

North Shore man gets five-year sentence for thefts

Parks presents $10.26M Kauai budget proposal

Milo tree thefts prompt parking closure in Spreckelsville

Montana Beach house demolition open to bids

Housing, an open shoreline proposed for Lanai

Ohio couple’s Kauai vacation ruined by car rental theft

Big Isle attorney seeks info on online commenter again

Program places smoke alarms in island homes

DLNR to hold meeting on Hilo Bay buoys

Photo courtesy Craig Stanfill.

—Chad Blair