Hurricane Lowell expected to cross Kauai tonight, state eyes school closures as student rolls decline, doctor shortage sends patients to urgent care facilities, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kauai County residents told to expect hurricane conditions as Lowell nears. Kauai and Niihau were put under hurricane warning late Sunday as Category 3 Lowell barrelled toward the islands packing maximum sustained winds of 120 mph — threatening Kauai County with destructive winds, heavy rain, flooding, storm surge and dangerous surf as early as this afternoon. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. 

‘Hurricane Hunters’ fly into Lowell. Lt. Sarah Cozart, a pilot, and meteorologists Sofia De Solo and Ryan Knapp are just a few who make up the “Hurricane Hunters,” a team tasked with gathering storm data under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The trio’s current mission is tracking Lowell, which as of 5 p.m. Sunday was a Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph winds. Star-Advertiser.

Extreme weather tests Hawaii’s firefighters, reveals response gaps. Hurricane Lala and multiple Kona-low storms stretched firefighters across the islands this year, forcing crews to balance routine emergency calls with flood rescues, washed-out roads, downed trees and stranded communities. Star-Advertiser.

This Campaign Finance Whiz Helps Hawaiʻi Politicians Keep Their Books In Order. After 33 years with the state Campaign Spending Commission, Tony Baldomero is now working for candidates so they file “true and accurate” expense reports. Civil Beat.

Hawaii patients express frustration with doctor shortage. Hawaii has had a doctor shortage for more than 15 years, with the latest University of Hawaii report noting a gap of 833 full-time- equivalent doctors in 2025, worse than in the previous year. Statewide, more patients may be relying on urgent care due to the inability to find a PCP or seeking help from Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, who have full practice authority in Hawaii, meaning they can evaluate patients, diagnose illnesses and prescribe medication. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Schools Continue To Lose Students. Hawaiʻi schools have fewer students for the eighth year in a row as lawmakers push for campus closures and consolidations by the end of the decade, according to recent data from the state education department.  Civil Beat.

Native Hawaiian Benefits Face Sweeping Legal Attacks. Conservative groups and the Trump administration have taken aim at programs supporters say are foundational to making amends for Hawaiʻi’s history. Civil Beat.

UH debuts free ‘AI for Hawaii’ program to teach ethical, practical AI skills. “AI for Hawaiʻi” is an open-access, self-paced course that teaches foundational AI knowledge and practical skills, while also emphasizing responsible and ethical use. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Hawaii Supreme Court orders special election for state House District 43.  The state must hold another Republican primary for the House seat representing Kapolei and Makakilo after the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled Friday that pulling a name out of a plastic egg to decide an election didn’t do the voters justice. On Aug. 8, the primary between incumbent Kanani Souza and Sheila Medeiros for the District 43 seat ended in a tie, with each receiving 842 votes. No Democrat filed to run in the race so whoever takes the primary wins the seat.  Star-Advertiser. Aloha State Daily. 

HPD releases footage of first drone-assisted arrest. In a video posted to social media Sunday, the department showcased how its new Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program was used to arrest three suspects in a recent crime spree. Hawaii News Now.

Ala Moana project developer seeks more time. The developer of 1588 Ala Moana, a mixed-use development calling for a 400-foot luxury hotel tower and a separate residential tower with market-rate and affordable units at Ala Moana Center, is seeking a 90-day extension to allow for further Honolulu City Council consideration. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu condominium prices fell in August; home costs surged. Nearly half of condo resales closed below $500,000 as inventory rose 4.1% year over year, according to data released Sunday by the Honolulu Board of Realtors. The median price of $510,000 was down 1% from $515,000 a year earlier while sales declined 6.6%. The median price for single-family homes jumped 12.2% to $1,240,000 to reach its second-highest level ever behind only the $1,242,500 achieved in June.  Star-Advertiser. 

Hawaii Island

Uncertainty lingers following expiration of county’s lease for Punalu‘u park. A week after Hawaii County’s lease for Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park ended following a failure to reach an agreement with the private land owner of the park, changes are becoming visible at the site, which has been managed by the county for decades. Large signs that once greeted visitors have been removed, the public bathroom doors are locked, debris is scattered throughout the parking lot, and the lifeguard stand is shuttered. Tribune-Herald.

Push to ban data centers continues. The Windward Planning Commission on Thursday deferred action until October on a bill intended to ban artificial intelligence data centers. Tribune-Herald.

Green light for Keaau Health Center: Commissioners OK $90M project. The Windward Planning Commission on Thursday cleared the way for Hilo Benioff Medical Center to build an outpatient medical clinic in Keaau. Tribune-Herald.

Funding released toward Tropical AgTech Center project in Hilo. The main goals of the Tropical AgTech Center are to improve the profitability of small farms on Hawaiʻi Island and to increase exports from the state. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Council panel advances license plate reader bill, delays facial recognition technology measure. Maui County Council members voted 7-1 in committee Thursday to put safeguards on how local law enforcement uses automated license plate reader technology, but they deferred action on a second bill addressing facial recognition technology that is not yet deployed by the Maui Police Department. Maui Now.

Questions persist about flood rescue training after Maui firefighter’s death. As fire departments across Hawaii expand their preparation for flooding and severe storms, the 2023 death of Maui firefighter Tre’ Evans-Dumaran continues to shape discussions about how firefighters are trained and equipped to respond to fast-moving floodwaters. Star-Advertiser.

Why Maui police don’t always name people who are arrested, including their own officers. When a 12-year veteran of the Maui Police Department was arrested on sexual assault charges this week, he was not identified by name and his mug shot was not included in a department news release. In September 2024, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Hawai‘i and the West Coast, ruled that the publication of mug shots on government websites was unconstitutional and essentially amounted to “pretrial punishment.” Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi residents, visitors, officials and nēnē prepare for Hurricane Lowell. On Sunday it was the calm before the storm, with Kauaʻi County officials urging residents to brace for severe weather starting to arrive Monday by stocking supplies, securing homes, and considering refuge areas as a last resort. Kauai Now.

Navy, NASA get more time for environmental review. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said Saturday it has granted a request from the Department of the Navy and National Aeronautics and Space Administration for a 15-day extension to their Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Pacific Missile Range Facility and Kokeʻe Park Geophysical Observatory. Star-Advertiser.

This Hawaiian Man Became The Face Of An Anti-Homelands Campaign. David Kalahiki and a neighbor turned to the Pacific Legal Foundation to stay in their homes. Now they are the face of a broader push by conservatives to upend programs serving Native Hawaiians. Civil Beat.

Green declares state of emergency, positions resources ahead of Hurricane Lowell, Covid cases rise again, NOAA offers $20k reward in bludgeoning death of endangered monk seal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green declares State of Emergency, pre-positions resources ahead of Tropical Cyclones. Gov. Josh Green signed a statewide emergency proclamation ahead of three hurricanes encroaching on the island chain this weekend. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. 

Hurricane Lowell weakens to Category 3, shifts west of Kauai. Hurricane Lowell track shifts slightly west, but major surge, rain and wind impacts still possible. It is still forecast to be at or near major hurricane strength when making its closest approach to the islands Monday. At 11 p.m. Thursday, Lowell had maximum sustained winds had weakened slightly to near 130 miles per hour. It was about 595 miles south of Lihue, or 555 miles south-southwest of Honolulu, and was moving to the west at 9 miles per hour. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hurricane Lowell’s expected turn resembles paths of Iniki, Dot. The only two hurricanes to make direct landfall in Hawaii in modern history both made sharp turns before crossing over Kauai — a similar turn forecasters and emergency officials are watching closely as Hurricane Lowell moves south of the islands. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Hawaii’s COVID positivity rates are rising again. The average positivity rates for COVID-19 are ticking up in Hawaii once again after a nearly year-long lull. On Wednesday, the Hawaii Department of Health reported an average positivity rate of 9.0% statewide, with a weekly average of 18 cases per day. Star-Advertiser.

Federal Native Hawaiian education funding awarded. The U.S. Department of Education has awarded $29.7 million to Hawaii providers serving Native Hawaiian children and families, with the funds expected to be distributed by today, following an agreement to extend federal funding for the Native Hawaiian Education Program for another year. Star-Advertiser.

Trump Administration Aims To Strip Tax Status Of Private Schools With DEI Policies. Kamehameha and other Hawaiʻi schools are tracking the proposal, which would remove the tax-exempt status of private schools and colleges that provide scholarships or admission benefits to students based on their race. Civil Beat.

ʻUlu On The Up: Hawaiʻi Breadfruit Production Keeps Booming. This year’s stormy weather might drive a dip in production. But if longer-term forecasts are accurate, breadfruit could get closer to resuming its status as a Hawaiian staple. Civil Beat.

Oahu

H-POWER was closed for more than 80 days last year. The H-POWER facility on Oʻahu helps divert waste from the near-capacity Waimānalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill, but during the last fiscal year it was out of service for more than 80 days. Honolulu officials estimate that 200,000 tons of waste went to the landfill instead of being burned at H-POWER. Hawaii Public Radio.

OHA, city begin talks on future use of Kakaako Makai site. The former J.K.K. Look Laboratory building is a familiar sight on the Point Panic side of the entrance to Kewalo Basin in Kakaako. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs says it is in exploratory discussions with the City and County of Honolulu on possible future purposes for the site. Hawaii News Now.

City reopens Central Oahu park used as temporary Kona low debris site. Patsy T. Mink Central Oʻahu Regional Park fully reopened to the public Thursday after restoration work was completed following its use as a temporary debris site in the wake of the Kona low storms. Hawaii News Now.

Storms Shut Down Elevators Indefinitely For Hundreds In Honolulu. This year’s storms have been disastrous for some Oʻahu residents immobilized by their building’s broken elevators. Restoration could take weeks or months.  Civil Beat.

Man arrested after HPD shuts University Ave. gambling room. According to HPD, on Wednesday, at around 6 p.m., the department’s Narcotics/Vice Division Gambling Detail executed a search warrant on the property, recovering 10 gaming machines, more than $3,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Sewer Rate Hike? Big Island Wastewater System Is Millions In Debt. The County Council is weighing a bill that would more than double the rates over the next five years. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Kona earthquake gets federal disaster declaration. Gov. Josh Green announced Thursday that President Donald Trump has approved his request for a major disaster declaration following the magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck the Kona area on May 22. Tribune-Herald.

About 60 customers still lack water in Ka‘u in wake of Lala. The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply is continuing to assess and repair damage to the water system infrastructure in the Na‘alehu-Wai‘ohinu area caused by the catastrophic rainfall and flooding last month from Hurricane Lala. Tribune-Herald.

‘Double Death’: Grief Revived Amid Search For Bones From Nāʻālehu Graves. A community devastated by Hurricane Lala now faces the gruesome and heart-wrenching task of identifying their deceased loved ones and burying them all over again.  Civil Beat.

Maui

Maui Council panel votes 5-4 to adopt sea-level-rise criteria for apartment rezoning in new hotel districts. The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee voted 5-4 last week to adopt criteria for which apartment-zoned vacation rental properties can be recommended to the Maui Planning Commission for hotel-district rezoning, tying eligibility to how deeply a property sits within the county’s Sea Level Rise Exposure Area. Maui Now.

Mayor Bissen urges USPS to preserve home mail delivery for Lahaina residents rebuilding after wildfire. In a letter sent Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, to US Postmaster General David Steiner, Mayor Richard Bissen said his most urgent concern is that residents returning to rebuilt homes may no longer receive the direct mail delivery they had before the fire and instead could be required to use centralized or cluster mailboxes. Maui Now.

NOAA offers up to $20,000 reward for info in death of Hawaiian monk seal. Federal wildlife authorities are asking for the public's help in finding the individual or individuals responsible for the death of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal whose body was discovered last month on a Molokai beach. According to NOAA, the investigation into the death of Hawaiian monk seal RU68 determined the 1-year-old female died from blunt force trauma to the head, likely sometime on Aug. 17 or 18.  Maui News. KHON2. 

Kauai

Kauai braces for possible impacts from Hurricane Lowell. Lowell, a Category 4 cyclone passing far south of the islands, is expected to weaken as it encounters southwesterly shear, but will still be at or near major hurricane strength when it approaches the westernmost main Hawaiian islands late Monday and Tuesday, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island. 

Hurricane Lowell predicted to turn north, state Supreme Court mulls special election for tiebreaker Oahu House seat, Skyline hits record with student riders, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Lowell expected to take a turn north toward Hawaii. Powerful Hurricane Lowell is passing far south of Hawaii through Friday but it’s where it goes afterward that has emergency officials and residents anxious. While the details of Lowell’s turn remain uncertain, the possibility is especially unnerving on Kauai, which on Sept. 11 will mark the 34th anniversary of Hurricane Iniki, which took a similar path and devastated the island. Star-Advertiser.  Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4. 

Navy Region Hawaii conducts change-of-command ceremony. Navy Region Hawaii Commander Rear Adm. Brad Collins on Wednesday relinquished his command as he prepares to go to Washington, D.C., to oversee Navy Installations Command, putting him in charge of overseeing shoreside operations for the U.S. Navy across the world. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Rematch May Be Coming For House Seat Decided By Tiebreaker. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court will decide Friday whether a special election is needed for the tight race between two Oʻahu Republicans. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Amazon fulfillment center zoning deferred. The Honolulu Planning Commission on Wednesday voted 7-0 to defer action on a zoning change sought by Amazon for its more than $600 million Project Savoy Fulfillment Center, delaying a decision on whether the company can build a massive five-story warehouse in West Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Skyline sees record number of rides as students return to school. The City and County of Honolulu said on Aug. 26 that Skyline recorded 14,143 rides, the highest weekday ridership total to date, with average weekday ridership from Aug. 24 through Aug. 28 at 13,478. KHON2.

Construction continues as Skyline stretches into the city. The next leg of the Skyline rail project is headed into the urban core, and evidence of its headway can be seen with the first column and cap being constructed along Nimitz Highway. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu city agencies used more energy and water in 2025. Honolulu's municipal energy and water usage rose significantly last year, according to the city’s latest Annual Sustainability Report. In 2025, city agencies used about 30 million more kilowatt-hours of electricity — enough to power about 500 homes for an entire year. Agency water use was also up by about half a million gallons per day. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Island’s Hurricane Lala damage estimate nears $100M with housing top priority. There are still struggles, but also definite progress on Hawaii Island after Hurricane Lala. Hawaii News Now.

PONC measure advances after County Council vote. Legislation to create a framework for regularly reviewing the list of properties targeted for acquisition through Hawaii County’s Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Commission (PONC) is moving forward after passing an initial vote Wednesday by the County Council. Tribune-Herald.

Ka‘u students return to in-person learning in aftermath of Lala. More than 850 students at two Ka‘u schools returned to in-person learning this week, marking a major step toward normalcy nearly two weeks after Hurricane Lala battered the district. Star-Advertiser.

Dengue virus detected in wastewater sample from Hawaiʻi Island. A wastewater sample from the Hilo wastewater treatment plant tested positive for dengue virus, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Health. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.   Big Island Now.

Maui

MPD officer allegedly raped woman after single-car accident. The Maui Prosecuting Attorney is asking potential victims and witnesses to come forward in the case of a police officer who allegedly raped a woman after she crashed her car in May 2025. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Public asked to comment on subsidized ferry proposal.  Maui County officials are hoping to create a subsidized ferry system in Valley Isle waters, where private ferries have sometimes shut down in the past. Maui News.

County announces plans to open temporary safe parking site after Sugimura proposes resolution. County officials said teams and community partners have conducted more than 60 outreach and engagement efforts along Pulehu and Hansen roads during the past three months. They also have completed more than 25 cleanups, removed more than 10 tons of waste and debris and 56 abandoned vehicles, and helped three people move from the encampment into permanent housing. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. 

Konig jurors to be queried on misconduct claim. The 12 jurors who served during Gerhardt Konig’s attempted murder trial must return to the courtroom for questioning on possible jury misconduct. The Maui anesthesiologist was found guilty April 8 of attempted manslaughter of his wife, Arielle Konig, based on extreme mental or emotional distress, rather than second-degree attempted murder as charged. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Motorists face weeklong Halekō Road closure starting Sept. 8. The Department of Transportation will implement a 24/7 closure of Haleko Road westbound for a week due to concrete work for the ʻUahi Ridge Housing development.  Kauai Now.

Category 4 Hurricanes Lowell and Karina churn toward the state, US District Court upholds Hawaii's firearm age limit, Honolulu government checkbook includes $3k at Dave and Buster's, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii keeps a close eye on 2 major hurricanes. Two Category 4 hurricanes in the Pacific are keeping Hawaii on edge this week with the closer of the two cyclones on track to start passing south of the islands today. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.  Big Island Video News. 

Indigenous Groups Are Exempt From Medicaid Work Rules, But Native Hawaiians Aren’t. Native Hawaiians will have to comply with the new work requirements in President Donald Trump’s signature One Big Beautiful Bill Act, despite facing significant obstacles to employment and healthcare. KFF Health News.

US District Court upholds Hawaii law requiring minimum age of 21 for firearms. The court granted the state’s motion for summary judgement, concluding that Hawaii’s age restriction is consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearms regulation. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi to receive $76M from Meta settlement. State Attorney General Anne Lopez said she hopes the money will go towards youth mental health services and education opportunities for families about social media. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Capitol pools: $10.5M spent, $55-65M next. Bid proposals for the final phase of the project will be evaluated on Thursday, Sept. 3. KHON2.

Oahu

Honolulu’s Checkbook: Who’s Getting Paid And How Much. The expenses include more than $3,000 from the Climate Change and Resiliency Fund spent at the arcade and sports bar Dave and Buster’s. Civil Beat.

Honolulu expands MH3 program for people in severe mental health, substance abuse crises. Honolulu officials are expanding a program that allows emergency responders and law enforcement to involuntarily take people experiencing severe mental illness or substance abuse to receive care, saying the approach is helping people who have repeatedly fallen through gaps in the social service system.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Knew Neglected Streams Could Wreak Havoc For 60 Years. Little was done to tame some of the waterways and flood areas that caused the most damage earlier this year. Civil Beat.

Oʻahu's exceptional trees stand tall after storm — except for 3. Hurricane Lala brought down hundreds of trees across the islands, but most of Oʻahu’s legacy trees survived the stormy weather. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waialua residents sue city, Dole over March flooding. Twenty North Shore residents have sued the City and County of Honolulu and the owners and operators of Wahiawa Dam in the wake of catastrophic flooding that damaged homes during the devastating Kona-low storms in March. Star-Advertiser.

FAA denies Oahu firm’s request for copter jumps. The Federal Aviation Administration has denied a petition from a local helicopter tour company for an exemption to safety restraint rules that would allow it to continue offering its “helocast” adventures. Star-Advertiser.

Military lawyer on Oahu sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for trying to engage in sexual activity with teens. A military lawyer on Oahu was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for attempting to sexually entice teenagers and attempting to get child porn. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Island hotels push pack on bill to increase sewer rates. Representatives from the hospitality industry are pushing back on a Hawaii County Council bill that would increase sewage treatment costs for hotels, on top of planned across-the-board rate hikes for all customers in coming years aimed at providing more funding for wastewater operations and maintenance. Tribune-Herald.

Public input sought for update to University of Hawaiʻi Mauna Kea master management plan. University of Hawaiʻi asks the public to weigh in on proposed updates to “2022 Master Plan for the University of Hawaiʻi Maunakea Lands: E Ō I Nā Leo [Listen to the Voices],” which outlines the process for university management of Mauna Kea lands. Big Island Now.

Hurricane Lala Recovery Updates: Kaʻū Water, USDA Help, Vehicle Disposal. Officials are letting residents know about federal and county programs that can assist in the cleanup. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Council gives initial approval for creating new ordinance for a Food and Nutrition Security Plan. Maui County Council members unanimously passed a bill on first reading last week that would codify a Food and Nutrition Security Plan as a permanent framework guiding agricultural development and food access in Maui County. Maui Now.

No Relief For Maui Wildfire Survivors Losing Thousands To Contractors. Homeowners rebuilding in Lahaina have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to unlicensed or unreliable contractors. Government officials have so far failed to hold anyone accountable. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kapa‘a Swimming Pool adjusts hours due to staffing issues. Starting Sept. 3, the Kapaʻa Swimming Pool will operate on a reduced schedule due to staffing shortages, affecting its hours of operation during the week. Kauai Now.

Hawaii Supreme Court requires fifth Miranda warning, audit finds questionable spending in Honolulu $386M Covid funding, FAA denies helicopter jumps, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

A Molokai murder case has led the Hawaii Supreme Court to require a fifth Miranda warning statewide after justices found the Maui Police Department’s advisement was insufficient. Detectives advised a suspect  that he had the right to remain silent, that anything he said could be used against him, that he had the right to the presence of an attorney, and that if he couldn’t afford one, one would be appointed for free. The Hawaii Supreme Court said those four main points should have include a fifth warning — that a suspect in custody can stop answering questions at any time and request an attorney. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii helicopter jumps denied by FAA. The Federal Aviation Administration has denied a Hawaii company’s request to keep dropping tourists from low-hovering helicopters into the ocean. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii to get $58M to boost healthcare in rural areas. The federal Rural Health Transformation Program, CMS said, will help improve access, infrastructure and technology, and strengthen the healthcare workforce, in rural communities across Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. 

Oahu

Covid Audit: Millions Meant To Support Oʻahu Residents Went Elsewhere. Honolulu’s “ambitious” plans had to shift so the money could be spent in time, Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s managing director said. Almost three-quarters of the entire $386 million federal award went toward four areas, the audit found: the purchase of the Waikīkī Vista property, a one-time payment toward retired city employees’ healthcare, short-term household assistance and water infrastructure improvement. Civil Beat.

Senate District 18 race set after Kidani retirement. On Aug. 31, Democratic Party nominee Danielle Bass finalized her candidate filing with the Office of Elections. She was picked by the party to run for the seat vacated by the retirement of Senator Michelle Kidani. KHON2.

Voters to decide on once-a-decade changes for Honolulu Charter. Among the ideas making it on the ballot, a new food security fund, protections for immigrants related to policing and ranked-choice voting in all special elections. KHON2.

Honolulu Police Chief Lazar names permanent HPD deputy chiefs. David Lazar selected Brandon Nakasato, a nearly 27-year HPD veteran, to oversee the department’s field operations and serve as the second-in-­command acting chief, when warranted. Maj. Parker Bode, who has 16 years with the department, was also chosen to lead HPD’s administrative operations. Star-Advertiser. Aloha State Daily.

Hawaii Island

Rumored Lala ‘Dam Burst’ Was Likely Invasive Trees, Officials Say. Kaʻū residents are bringing a new level of scrutiny to the hills above Nāʻālehu after Hurricane Lala prompted questions about the aging water systems above the town. Civil Beat.

After more than two weeks, the lights are back on at Waiakea Villas. Electricity was lost at the 200-plus unit apartment complex during Hurricane Lala, but the extended outage was due to issues with the property’s electrical equipment, according to Hawaiian Electric. Tribune-Herald.

Precautionary Boil Water Notice For Nāʻālehu Area Continued. The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply (DWS) says the previously issued notice remains in effect for its customers in Nā‘ālehu, Wai‘ōhinu, Green Sands subdivision, Mark Twain subdivision, Discovery Harbor and South Point Road. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Hearing set on Hoʻonani Village housing project. The proposed development at Hansen and Pulehu roads would include 1,608 multifamily housing units, including 800 affordable units, along with commercial, recreational and light-industrial uses. Maui News. Maui Now. 

12 Year veteran Maui police officer arrested for 4 counts of sexual assault. Devin Schoeppner, 49, of Kahului, was arrested Monday on a $150,000 warrant and charged with four counts of sexual assault in the second degree and two counts of sexual assault in the third degree. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. Maui Now.  KHON2. 

Kalaupapa memorial sought for exiled residents. On Friday, the Board of Land and Natural Resources approved a right-of-entry permit and lease to Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, a nonprofit made up of residents and their family members and friends. It was established in 2003 and is dedicated to honoring those forcibly isolated in Kalaupapa, a remote peninsula on Molokai’s north shore, from 1866 to 1969. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Kauai

KIUC looks to fill key leadership role with retirement of the Member Services and Communications Manager. The Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative seeks a new member services and communications manager as Beth Amaro prepares to retire in early 2027. Kauai Now.

‘E Mau Ke Ea: The Sovereign Hawaiian Nation’ traveling Smithsonian exhibit on display at Kauaʻi Community College. Community members are invited to view “E Mau Ke Ea: The Sovereign Hawaiian Nation,” a traveling Smithsonian Institution exhibit now on display through December in Kauaʻi Community College library. Kauai Now.

Ed Case a popular politician, tropical storm, hurricane unlikely to threaten Hawaii, Par Pacific Holdings makes bank on high gas prices, Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines cite jobs, merger gains, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Is Ed Case Hawaiʻi’s Most Popular Politician? Voters Say Yes. Case is a moderate Democrat who some in his party hoped to defeat this year. But in general elections he regularly outperforms his colleagues. Since being elected to Hawaiʻi’s 1st Congressional District in 2018, Case has consistently outperformed his federal colleagues on the November ballot. That includes winning a higher percentage than Democratic U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono in his district and statewide. He’s also performed better than Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, each of whom drubbed Donald Trump in the islands.  Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi’s Pain At The Pump Is Oil Giant’s Gain. High gas prices created a recent windfall for the state’s only oil refiner. Par Pacific Holdings, the parent of Par Hawaiʻi, raked in $462 million in profit for the quarter ended June 30, an increase of more than $402.6 million over the net income the company reported for the same period a year ago.  Civil Beat.

BLNR delays decision on aquarium fishing. After more than six hours of passionate public testimony, the Land Board directed the Division of Aquatic Resources to further consider alternatives under the public trust doctrine and cultural landscape analyses and also address technical and legal issues before returning to the board. The board did not give an indication over whether it was in favor or opposed to a statewide ban. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Tropical Storm Lowell not a threat to the islands: Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense.  Forecasts keep both Lowell and Hurricane Karina away from the main Hawaiian islands, but there’s a high degree of uncertainty in the forecast models because of possible interaction between the two. National Weather Service said Lowell continues moving westward with “little change in intensity,” and is expected to maintain this motion for the next two to three days.  KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Schatz looks to federal policy to expand Native Hawaiian housing access. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D, Hawaii) met with local housing and Native Hawaiian leaders to discuss efforts to expand access to housing for Native Hawaiians amid Hawaii’s broader housing shortage. Star-Advertiser.

Alaska, Hawaiian airlines report merger gains. Alaska and Hawaiian airlines say their merger has resulted in a net gain of more than 1,100 jobs and is ahead of schedule financially nearly two years after receiving federal approval, although the companies still have not completed joint labor agreements for unionized workers. Star-Advertiser.

Private-practice doctors alarmed by HMSA policy changes. Hawaii Medical Service Association earlier this year stunned providers when it mandated they switch from fixed monthly “transformation” payments back to a traditional fee-for-service system, with only 60 days’ notice, by July 1. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Panda Diplomacy: A Mayor’s Quest To Bring Pandas From China To The Honolulu Zoo. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s efforts to court China included a gift of lei, a letter to President Xi Jinping and a trip to China with the CEO of Panda Express.  Civil Beat.

Supreme Court rules Tommy Waters ineligible. The Hawaii Supreme Court Friday ruled Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters ineligible to seek a third consecutive term on the Council, resolving two legal cases challenging the outcome of the Aug. 8 primary election for the East Honolulu seat. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. KITV4. 

Lawsuit: Honolulu’s Inaction Led To Deadly Waiʻanae Rampage In 2024. Family members of three women fatally shot by a neighbor in Waiʻanae two years ago claim city officials failed to intervene in the neighbor’s dangerous and illegal behavior in the years leading up to the shooting, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed Thursday.  Civil Beat.

Nightclub accuses liquor board of retaliation. A Chinatown nightclub has filed its second federal civil rights lawsuit against the city and Honolulu Liquor Commission, alleging the agency resumed retaliatory conduct that a $670,000 settlement agreement last year was supposed to end. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu unveils renovated Pahinui Pavilion. The structure at Waimanaolo Beach Park s dedicated to the late Gabby “Pops” Pahinui, an award-winning musician and ambassador of Hawaiian culture.  Star-Advertiser.

Ward Centre demolition underway 2 months after tenants move out. Once demolition is complete, the plan calls for two condo towers that include 369 units, along with 20,000 square feet of retail space and a new one-acre public park. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

2022 report found bridge faulty. Four years before the bridge connecting Hilo to Coconut Island collapsed under the weight of a maintenance vehicle, Hawaii County received an inspection report that detailed extensive structural issues and recommended the span replaced. Tribune-Herald.

Over 300 Acres In Hilo To Be Conveyed To Hawaiian Home Lands. The land transfer under the requirements of Act 14 include the Hawaiʻi County NAS Swimming Pool Facility. Big Island Video News.

In Hawaiʻi County’s Emergency Operations Center, officials rely on weather information from in-house meteorologist. Days before Hurricane Lala struck the Big Island with 70 mph winds, heavy rain and flash floods on Aug. 15 and 16, Sean Miller was in Hawaiʻi County’s Emergency Operations Center helping officials make educated decisions and craft public messages. Big Island Now.

‘Wake-Up Call’: How Lala Shut Down Water Service On Big Island. Most of the pumps that deliver water from wells stopped working when the electricity was cut off. The county lacks emergency generators to run them all. Civil Beat.

Complicated effort to retrieve, ID remains from Na‘alehu Cemetery continues. Hawaii County officials on Wednesday held a community meeting at Na‘alehu Elementary School Gym to update families with loved ones buried in Na‘alehu Cemetery, which was heavily damaged by flooding from Hurricane Lala earlier this month. Tribune-Herald.

Power outage drags on at Waiakea Villas; electrical woes apparently predate Lala. The power went out at the 200-plus unit apartment complex in Hilo amid islandwide outages during Hurricane Lala, but Hawaiian Electric has confirmed that the extended outage is due to issues with the property’s own electrical equipment. Tribune-Herald.

First-of-its-kind all-terrain fire fighting truck gifted to Hawai’i County. A new Fawcett Cannon all-terrain fire fighting truck that recently made its debut on Hawai‘i Island, donated by Marc and Lynne Benioff through the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation, is now available to help protect ʻāina, property and people when the next wildland fire sparks. Big Island Now.

Maui

$4B Mākena development with 652 homes advances after reducing project 27% due to public pushback. A project of 652 market-rate and affordable homes on 1,000 acres in Mākena is moving forward after developers scaled back more than a quarter of the project in response to community backlash. Maui Now.

Maui County receives $3.6 million for West Maui waste center. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the county a $3,607,065 Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant. The money will be used to acquire property and develop a center where residents can dispose of recyclables, green waste and bulky items. Maui News. Maui Now. 

State plans to roll out reservation system at popular Maui bay. A popular surf and snorkeling spot in West Maui may be added to the list of visitor attractions around the state that could get measures to ease crowding. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is in the process of rolling out a reservation system at Honolua Bay, which appears to have gained many supporters. Hawaii News Now.

A new county pilot program is bringing locally grown food to Maui kūpuna. A new pilot program is launching to provide Maui kūpuna with locally grown produce. For the next six months, Maui County’s Department of Agriculture will support increased access to fresh food for 100 seniors each week. The Locally Grown Healthy Food for Kūpuna program starts in September. Hawaii Public Radio.

Trace levels of selenium detected in Kaunakakai water system. Routine water quality testing recently identified trace levels of selenium in the Kaunakakai water system, which serves the Kaunakakai area of Molokai, according to the Maui County Department of Water Supply. Maui News.

Kauai

How Kaua‘i’s Mayoral Candidates Plan To Tackle Trash. Boosting recycling and other diversion efforts are top priorities while the Garden Isle gets its new landfill up and running. Civil Beat.

Water service will shut down overnight in part of Poipū Sept. 2 and 3. The shutdown is required to enable a contractor to connect newly installed waterline infrastructure associated with a roundabout project. Kauai Now.

A tribute to the Farm Fair. Several hundred people surged throughout the Kukui Grove shopping center, pausing to take in features like the Fruit and Vegetable Show, community exhibits from various agriculture and land-based government and private businesses, and vendors like the Menehune Kitchen that are part of the weekly Monday Pau Hana Market. Garden Island.

Hawaii tourism falters, Hawaii County loses Punaluu beach park lease, Lahaina post office faces closure, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Shorter Hawaii vacations erase 1 million visitor days despite higher arrivals. Preliminary data released Thursday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism showed visitor days fell 13.1% to 6.71 million in July from 7.72 million a year earlier. The decline came as the average visitor stay dropped 14.1% to 7.59 days, the shortest July stay since 2011. That was down nearly 21% from the peak July stay of 9.6 days in 2010. Star-Advertiser.

Financial Literacy Is Required For Hawai‘i Grads. Are Schools Ready? The education department is requiring financial literacy lessons after two decades of advocacy from lawmakers and educators. Implementation — and effectiveness — may vary. Civil Beat.

State to receive $18.5M for electric grid projects. The Hawaii State Energy Office in partnership with Hawaiian Electric and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, said the money will support $25 million of investments for projects on Oahu, Hawaii Island and Maui. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Hawaii Vital Records Office moving to downtown Honolulu. Health officials said the move to Suite 100 at the City Financial Tower, 201 Merchant St., will begin Sept. 21 and is expected to be complete by Oct. 1. The Office of Health Status Monitoring issues about 300,000 certified copies of birth, death and marriage records each year. It also maintains Hawaii’s official vital records dating back to the mid-1800s. Star-Advertiser.

Cyclosporiasis case on Oahu raises questions about possible local source. A new cyclosporiasis case is raising questions about whether the illness could have been acquired in Hawaii. While health officials investigate where the patient may have been exposed, local farmers say there is no evidence linking the case to Hawaii-grown produce. (video only). KITV4.

Nearly a century of watercress: Sumida family business shows unique model of running a community farm . In the middle of a busy urban center, right off Kamehameha Highway, sits a fourth-generation, family-run farm tucked between the two phases of Pearlridge Mall in Central Oʻahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

This Form Of Japanese Buddhism In Hawaiʻi Could Disappear. Jikoen Hongwanji, a Japanese Shin Buddhist temple on Oʻahu, is losing popularity. The elders and old friends who once filled it, many of them Japanese immigrants or their children, have died. The temple is now facing an existential question.  Civil Beat.

Feral chickens are a common headache for some residents across Oahu, and trapping them is now turning into its own debacle. Some of the traps are being destroyed, and taxpayers are footing the bill. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

County’s loss of lease for Punalu‘u park sparks concerns. Since at least 1954, the county has leased the 6.8-acre site from successive private landowners to provide recreational opportunities and shoreline access for residents and visitors. The attorney for the property owner said Thursday that a statement in a press release from Mayor Kimo Alameda’s office that Black Sand Beach LLC — whose principal is Eva Liu — “declined the county’s offer and chose to terminate the existing lease agreement as of June 30” is false. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  KHON2.  Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaiʻi Island Water Restoration Update for Thursday, August 27. The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply reported that power has been restored to key infrastructure in Mountain View and Pāhala, and that normal water use may resume in those locations. Big Island Video News.

Power restored to Ka‘ū Hospital 11 days after Hurricane Lala struck Big Island. Power was restored at Kaʻū Hospital on Thursday after 11 days of being forced to run on generators due to damage caused by Hurricane Lala. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Council votes 8-1 to authorize county acquisition of private water systems in Launiupoko and Olowalu. Maui County Council members authorized the Department of Water Supply Tuesday to spend up to $6 million to acquire two privately owned West Maui water systems. Maui Now.

Tokuda and Paltin speak out against the proposed permanent closure of Lahaina Downtown Post Office. In a letter dated Aug. 20, 2026 to postal customers in Lahaina, the USPS reported that it intends to permanently close the Lahaina Downtown Station, located at 132 Papalaua Street because of irreparable damage to the facility as a result of the August 2023 wildfire.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Vandalism forces closure of Kauaʻi preschool as new owner works to reopen under new name. Little Wonders Preschool, formerly A Room to Grow Preschool, is on a mission to restore its vibrant learning environment after acts of vandalism forced its closure. Kauai Now.

KIUC seeks to purchase headquarters property. Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative is seeking approval from the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission to purchase the Hana Kukui property on Pahe‘e Street in Lihu‘e. The cooperative has rented this property for its headquarters for well over 20 years.  Garden Island.