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Hawaii judge halts plans for wave pool that critics say is a waste of water

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Hawaii judge halts plans for wave pool that critics say is a waste of water
  • A judge has issued a temporary injunction halting plans for the Honokea Surf Village wave pool project in west Oahu.
  • The injunction was granted due to concerns raised by Native Hawaiians and others about the project’s environmental impact.
  • The project’s approval by the Hawaii Community Development Authority was challenged in a lawsuit.

A judge has halted plans for an artificial wave pool until developers can revise an environmental assessment to address concerns raised by Native Hawaiians and others who say the project is unnecessary in the birthplace of surfing and a waste of water.

In granting a temporary injunction Tuesday, Hawaii Environmental Court Judge Shirley Kawamura ordered a new review of concerns including impacts on water supply and anticipated growth in the area.

A group of Native Hawaiians and other residents filed a lawsuit last year challenging the Hawaii Community Development Authority’s approval of the 19-acre Honokea Surf Village planned for west Oahu, which found that it will have no significant environmental impacts.

TRIAL UNDERWAY FOR MILITARY FAMILIES SUING US GOVERNMENT OVER TAINTED WATER AT HAWAII BASE

Opponents of the project say the wave pool, with a capacity of 7 million gallons, isn’t needed less than 2 miles from the ocean and another existing wave pool.

Ikaika Kaulukukui surfs in a wave pool at Ewa Beach, Hawaii, on May 9, 2023. A judge has halted plans for an artificial wave pool until developers can revise an environmental assessment to address concerns raised by Native Hawaiians and others who say the project is unnecessary in the birthplace of surfing and a waste of water. (AP Photo/Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, File)

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Project backer and renowned Native Hawaiian waterman Brian Keaulana has said artificial waves are useful for competitive surfers to train on perfect breaks that are sometimes elusive in the ocean. Customizable surf, he said, can also help create ideal conditions to teach surfing and lifesaving skills.

“Our goal of creating a place that combines cultural education with skill-based recreation must be done in a way that does not harm our natural resources,” he said Wednesday in a statement. “The court’s ruling allows us an opportunity to revisit the environmental concerns, especially our water resources.”

The judge said in her ruling that there was “insufficient evidence for the HCDA to determine whether there is a likelihood of irrevocable commitment of natural resources and whether secondary and cumulative impacts of water use, injection, land use changes, and wildlife mitigation would likely lead to a significant impact, thereby favoring an injunction.”

The current assessment is “ambiguous as to the specific manner, time frame, and actual daily water use implicated by the initial and periodic filling of the lagoon,” the ruling said.

However the development authority did make sufficient assessment of potential impact on historic preservation and burials, it added. The HCDA declined to comment Wednesday on the ruling.

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Developers say the project would be drawing from a private water company separate from Oahu’s water utility, using a supply that was committed decades ago.

But the judge noted that they draw from the same underlying aquifer.

“Thus, additional analysis is needed to fully capture the potential cumulative impact of anticipated growth and subsequent increased competing water demand,” the ruling said.

The state attorney general’s office said it was reviewing the decision.

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Healani Sonoda-Pale, one of the plaintiffs, called the ruling a “pono decision,” using a Hawaiian word that can mean “righteous.”

“Much has been made about Hawaiians being on both sides of the issue,” she said. “Building a wave pool is not a cultural practice. The threat of a wave pool … is so immense in terms of how many people it could affect.”

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Nevada

Heirloom by Ovation opens affordable senior housing community

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Heirloom by Ovation opens affordable senior housing community


Ovation Development Corp. and its affiliate, Heirloom by Ovation, a Las Vegas-based developer of multifamily housing and one of Nevada’s largest private developers of affordable senior housing, hosted a ribbon-cutting and welcome-home ceremony for residents of its newest senior affordable housing community, Heirloom at Rome, at 4850 W. Rome Blvd. in the northwest valley.

The demand for senior affordable housing is reflected in Heirloom at Rome already having more than 182 occupied units, just months after it opened.

The $78 million Heirloom at Rome community, which was funded in part by Clark County Community Housing Funds and Nevada Housing Division’s Home Means Nevada Initiative, brings 276 new affordable housing units to market, including 38 tiny homes. The community’s tiny homes offer 400 square feet of living space, while apartments that range from 664 square feet to 891 square feet offer from one to two bedrooms.

Heirloom at Rome sits on a nearly 9.5-acre site within three separate buildings totaling 243,100 square feet. Of its 276 units, 180 are available to seniors making less than 49 percent of Area Median Income, and 96 units are available to seniors making less than 59 percent of AMI.

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The community sits on land once owned by the federal government and granted to the city of Las Vegas for purposes of affordable housing. Ovation was awarded the project through a competitive request for proposal process, furthering the city’s prioritization of affordable housing construction.

On-site amenities include a fitness room, movement studio, screening room, game lounge, great room, business center, wellness room and a one-story clubhouse by the tiny home village. Outdoor amenities include a community garden, pet park, extensive xeriscape landscaping, picnic tables and carport parking for residents.

Heirloom at Rome was designed and built to achieve LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council and has successfully received its certification. The community features high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment including Energy Star appliances, low-E vinyl thermal pane windows, and high R-value wall and attic insulation. Additional sustainable building practices include the use of low- or no-VOC paints, adhesives and formaldehyde-free particleboard. Water conservation measures will include low-flow fixtures and drought-tolerant landscaping.

As one of Nevada’s largest and leading apartment developers of both market-rate and affordable housing for low-income seniors and working families, Ovation ensures its affordable housing communities maintain the exceptional quality associated with its market-rate projects.

Through its partnership with nonprofit Coordinated Living of Southern Nevada, Ovation provides residents of its affordable housing properties with life-enhancing wraparound services and recreational amenities that create a rich social infrastructure and high quality of life. This includes transportation assistance to medical appointments and shopping, health and wellness programs, food assistance as well as social outings and events.

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According to Alan Molasky, chairman and founder of Ovation, “collaboration is key to solving for challenging issues like affordable housing, and we couldn’t do it without critical support from government and agency partners who share our passion,” he said.

“We have long believed that everyone, regardless of income, deserves a quality home that helps to strengthen individuals, families and community. Providing a beautiful, dignified and comfortable place to live is key to ensuring seniors, particularly those on low or fixed incomes, can continue to thrive in a clean and beautiful environment during their golden years.”

To date, Ovation has completed 18 income- and rent-restricted communities totaling more than 2,795 units. The company will complete five more multifamily affordable communities with more than 1,300 units in Southern Nevada by 2028, providing much needed relief for low-income seniors, individuals and families.

Coming soon to the Heirloom by Ovation portfolio is Heirloom at Torrey Pines, at 6540 W. Arby Ave.

For leasing and qualifying information on Heirloom at Rome and other Heirloom by Ovation communities, visit HeirloomByOvation.com.

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Ovation Development Corp. is a Las Vegas-based development company founded by Alan Molasky, a prolific developer of multifamily, resort-style housing in Southern Nevada for 40-plus years. The largest private multifamily developer in the Las Vegas Valley, Ovation has built nearly 10,000 units. In addition to luxury multifamily communities, Ovation is committed to the development of a portfolio of affordable housing for low-income seniors, known as Heirloom by Ovation, based on the belief that quality homes are foundational to strengthening individuals, families and community. Ovation and its affiliates employ more than 300 individuals representing all facets of design, construction and property management. For information, visit ovationco.com.



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New Mexico

Massive Landspout Caught On Camera In New Mexico | Weather.com

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Massive Landspout Caught On Camera In New Mexico | Weather.com


1 hour ago

Updated: May 2, 2026, 2:24 pm EDTPublished: May 2, 2026, 2:24 pm EDT

A large landspout tornado was spotted towering over north-central New Mexico on Thursday, April 30, footage shows. Other videos of landspouts were posted from the area that day.



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Oregon

Federal agents to investigate after explosives found in Oregon vehicle crash that killed 1

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Federal agents to investigate after explosives found in Oregon vehicle crash that killed 1


Federal agents are responding after explosives were found in a vehicle that crashed into the front entrance of an Oregon athletic club Saturday, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said. A person was found dead inside the vehicle. 

Portland Fire and Rescue responded to a report of a vehicle driving into the club’s front entrance at 2:49 a.m. local time, according to a news release from the department. 

The vehicle caught fire after the crash, the department said. Once the blaze was brought under control, law enforcement found the deceased person inside. The Portland Police Department’s Explosive Disposal Unit responded after evidence of an explosive device was found in the vehicle.

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The person has not been identified, and an investigation is ongoing, police said. 

The club said in a statement that the facility will remain closed until further notice and that they are expecting a prolonged closure. 

“Our team is cooperating fully with the Portland Police Bureau and Portland Fire & Rescue, who are leading the investigation. Out of respect for that process, we will defer to them for additional details,” the statement said.

This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.

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