From the Hawaii Tribune-Herald:

The Judiciary’s preferred site for the new Kona Judiciary complex is off the table, an administrator told House Finance Committee members Wednesday.

Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald last year selected the site, across from the West Hawaii Civic Center and makai of Ane Keohokalole Highway, for the long-planned court complex. Chief Administrator Rodney Maile said Wednesday a detailed site survey in late May discovered an endangered uhiuhi tree on the property. That, coupled with complications posed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal to designate part of the site as critical habitat for several other threatened plant species, has made moving ahead with the site difficult, Maile said.

“Our goal is to have the (new preferred) site finalized before the next Legislative session,” Maile said.

Five of the seven sites the Judiciary considered in its environmental impact statement several years ago would have areas designated as critical habitat. Read the full story.

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

Ka Loko Dam case remanded to 5th Circuit

Pahoa might be home to new KTA

State approves rescue tube stations

UH Hilo pharma school fights for new facility

Costs remain to operate Kauai Humane Society

West Maui community loses colorful ‘Blackie’ Gadarian

Mamalahoa Bypass construction delayed to 2014

Protecting legacy of Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove

Maui wedding spending  will go elsewhere if gay marriage illegal 

Some Big Isle residents concerned about critical habitat designation

Photo: Kona village. (jurvetson)

—Chad Blair