Hawaii News Coverage Advisory

Here's a look at AP Hawaii's latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. A reminder this digest is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.

For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at [email protected] or 877-836-9477.

Hawaii at 2 p.m.

Top Stories:

Hawaii Legislature

HONOLULU — Hawaii lawmakers are gathering for a new session a day after leaders unveiled a long list of measures they hope will address Hawaii’s punishingly high cost of living. The Democratic majorities in the House and Senate released outlines of a joint bills package that would increase the minimum wage, make the state’s earned income tax credit refundable and use state lands to develop housing. Gov. David Ige endorsed the measures and appeared at a conference with legislative leaders. The measures respond in part to a recent report showing that half of Hawaii’s residents struggle to make ends meet. SENT: 200 words. UPCOMING: 400 words, photos.

Tour-Helicopter-Hawaii

HONOLULU — A person who was near a remote Hawaii site where a tour helicopter crashed and killed seven people last month has told investigators that visibility was about 20 feet at the time because of fog and rain. The account was provided in a preliminary National Transportation Safety Board report about the crash made public on Wednesday. The unidentified person was on a hiking trail in Koke'e State Park on Kauai island and described hearing a hovering helicopter followed by a high-pitched whine. The NTSB report also says the pilot was on his eighth and final scheduled 50-minute tour flight of the day. SENT: 440 words, file photo.

Base-Closure-Hawaii

HONOLULU — Military officials say three people were taken into custody and later released after being found with a mortar round in their vehicle at a gate to the sprawling Pearl Harbor military base. A base spokesman said Wednesday that there was no explosive material inside the round. He doesn't know what the trio planned to do but doesn't think they were trying to get on the base. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service says it was an “inert training round” and doesn't believe terrorism played a role. The Navy said the base was shut down to traffic late Tuesday while a bomb squad investigated the vehicle that appeared without authorization. SENT: 350 words, file photo.

AP Members:

Mauna Kea-New Rules Signed

HONOLULU — Hawaii's governor signed into law a new set of administrative rules for management of land on the state's highest mountain. Democratic Gov. David Ige approved the new regulations Monday for the the University of Hawaii's oversight of Mauna Kea. The rules are expected to go into effect Jan. 23. The rules prohibit littering, speeding, noise disturbances, fires, drugs, alcohol, drones, and camping. They are also intended to regulate commercial activities, tours and motorized traffic, including off-road driving. The university's Board of Regents adopted the rules in November following a meeting that included testimony from 99 people. SENT: 260 words.

Of Hawaii Interest:

Military Base-Gun Ban

OMAHA, Neb. — A new policy at Offutt Air Force Base south of Omaha bars military and civilian personnel from transporting privately-owned firearms onto base. The order came from Col. Gavin Marks, who assumed command of the U.S. Air Force 55th Wing in June, following a mandatory review of the base’s defense and anti-terrorism plan. It also comes in the wake of high-profile gun incidents last year on U.S. military bases, including one in May at Offutt where 22-year-old Marine Pfc. Ali Al-Kazahg was arrested while carrying guns, ammunition and a silencer. Al-Kazahg, who is stationed in Hawaii, pleaded guilty Tuesday in a court martial hearing to several counts.

___

If you have stories of regional or statewide interest, please email them to [email protected]. If you have photos of regional or statewide interest, please send them to the AP state photo center in New York, 888-273-6867. Questions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to the Honolulu bureau at 808-536-5510 or [email protected]. Correspondent Caleb Jones can be reached at 808-536-5510 or [email protected].