From the Hawaii Tribune-Herald:

The ongoing partial federal shutdown is providing helicopter operators, and some tourists, with nowhere to go but up.

While other tourist-oriented businesses are being hit, the closure of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park during the shutdown is causing visitors hoping to get a view of the park and the lava flowing from Pu‘u ‘O‘o to flock to helicopter tours.

“We have seen helicopter companies receiving a large bulk of the business,” said Ross Birch, Big Island Visitors Bureau executive director. Read more.

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

Chicken under health alert said to be sold in Maui stores

Trash, noise, illegal campers sully pristine piece of Na Pali

Waiakea High officials mull uniform policy

DOH spokeswoman: One liver failure case on Maui

Human remains unearthed at Kauai Sands Hotel in Waipouli

A weekend of farmer spirit on Molokai

Hawaii County employees plead guilty to fuel theft

DOT gets an earful at safety check hearing

Film commissioner job a balancing act

Fuel to fund kupuna program

Legislators encourage public to attend health care forum

Maui’s Pan-STARRS Telescope finds ‘strange lonely planet’

Photo: A Blue Hawaiian helicopter. (TheGirlsNY)

—Chad Blair