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.

University of Hawaii withdraws proposed First Amendment restrictions, Honokaa hospital battles major Covid outbreak, Carvalho withdraws from Kauai mayoral debate, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

University of Hawaii withdraws free speech, assembly changes.  In an email to the UH community Wednesday, University of Hawaii President Wendy Hensel wrote that since the implementation of UH’s interim time, place and manner policy “we have heard concerns from some members of our community that the interim rules, particularly around parameters such as the 25-foot building setbacks, the 60-decibel noise thresholds and chalking feel overly restrictive and could discourage expressive activity." Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Ag Leaders Planned To Oust Official Despite Public Praise. Agribusiness Development Corp. Executive Director Wendy Gady resigned days after the agency’s board celebrated progress. Civil Beat.

World-Traveling Hawaiʻi Bureaucrat Arranged $30M In Tech Contracts. Department directors sent Brandon Asuka o conferences, site visits and presentations all over the world on the taxpayer’s dime in an effort, they say, to set up the agency with the most advanced law enforcement technology available. These trips, in turn, have translated into multimillion-dollar contracts for tech companies — one of which has hired Asuka as a product developer, even as he continues to work for the state as a contractor.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii to receive $76M in landmark Meta settlement. The settlements announced today end a federal trial over allegations that Meta’s products harmed children and the company misled the public about their safety. Reuters.

Oahu

New HPD chief says he favors a new police district for Waianae. HPD’s District 8 actually includes the area all the way from Ewa Beach to Makaha. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu And Dole Sued By Residents Over Negligence In Kona Low Floods. They allege an unkempt stream and inadequate drainage from Lake Wilson caused the flooding of their homes. Civil Beat.

NOAA confirms death of another monk seal on Oahu. Federal wildlife officials confirmed the death of the fifth endangered Hawaiian monk seal in the past month on Oahu – this time, an adult female. Federal wildlife officials confirmed the death of yet another endangered Hawaiian monk seal on Oahu – this time, an adult female. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said monk seal RL70 was found dead, but did not diclose the time or location on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Extent of Red Hill fuel cleanup still undetermined. In a House Special Committee on Red Hill informational briefing Tuesday, the Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill shared its progress in retiring the facility where a jet-fuel spill contaminated drinking water for about 93,000 Oahu residents in 2021. Star-Advertiser.

Low-Income Seniors Left Stranded After Lala Floods Building Elevator. A multi-story apartment building for seniors was hit by flooding that wiped out its only elevator. Kalākaua Vista is eight-stories high and designated for people aged 62 years and older whose income does not exceed 50% of the county median, currently $53,900 for a single person. Civil Beat.

Repairs underway at eatery where ceiling collapsed. The property owner of a 91-year-old Kaimuki building where a ceiling collapse on Aug. 18, injured patrons of a popular Chinese restaurant, has “begun repairing the wall along 11th Avenue that may pose a hazard,” Department of Planning and Permitting officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Waikiki fentanyl overdose cluster triggers urgent warning for young adults. The Department of Health is warning young adults after 12 overdose calls in less than one week. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Staff at long-term wing in Honoka‘a Hospital dealing with COVID-19 outbreak of nearly half its patients. As of Monday, 26 out of 59 patients in the long-term wing and 12 of the wing’s staff tested positive for the virus. Big Island Now.

HECO outages on Hawaii Island drop to 1,600. Hawaiian Electric Co., which is being supported by 50 utility workers from Southern California Edison, said Wednesday evening it reached a major milestone on Hawaii Island.  with the successful return of a key transmission line from Pahala to Kilauea that has allowed crews to return power to customers in Pahala. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. KITV4. 

Mobile Medical Services Launched in Nāʻālehu After Hurricane Floods Close Health Center. Medical teams working at a flood-damaged health center in Nāʻālehu have opened a mobile clinic in an urgent effort to bring healthcare back to one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Lala. Big Island Video News.

DOE announces plan for in-person learning for Ka‘u students. The state Department of Education on Wednesday announced its plan to resume in-person learning for students at Ka‘u High &Pahala Elementary School and Na‘alehu Elementary School as recovery efforts continue following Hurricane Lala. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. 

DOE kicks off food distribution effort in Ka‘u. Over 850 students in Ka‘u have been out of school since damage from Hurricane Lala shuttered the campuses of Na‘alehu Elementary and Ka‘u High & Pahala Elementary. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui May Allow Even More Condos To Stay Vacation Rentals. Using sea level rise exposure for justification, two resolutions before the council could help more units avoid being phased out for long-term housing. Civil Beat.

New West Maui fire station costing at least $240K more due to U.S.-Canada trade war. A critically needed fire station in West Maui is facing extra costs of more than $240,000 due to tariffs in the mounting trade war launched by President Donald Trump between the United States and Canada. Maui Now.

Agriculture board upholds CRB import restrictions to Maui and Lānaʻi .  The state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity rejected a proposal to relax import restrictions to Maui and Lānaʻi meant to keep out the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle, but is open to making changes to those restrictions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hana Highway bridge project to preserve historic character. Six of the 59 bridges on Hana Highway are scheduled for some construction and improvements with highway officials looking at rehabilitation and replacement alternatives. Maui News.

Kauai

Bernard Carvalho Jr. withdraws from Kauaʻi mayoral debate against Rapozo. The event will go on as planned Thursday night with only Mel Rapozo, current chair of the Kauaʻi County Council, participating. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Pacific Missile Range Facility, state awarded $4.73M to support Kaua‘i projects to improve environment, readiness. The federal funding through the U.S. Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program will support the Navy facility and state Division of Forestry and Wildlife expansion of ecosystem restoration, wildfire resilience and watershed protection efforts, among several other projects, on the Garden Isle. Kauai Now.

KEMA reminds public to review potential refuge area list. With the 2026 Central Pacific hurricane season underway, the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency (KEMA) reminds residents and visitors that an updated potential refuge area list for Kaua‘i is available online at www.kauai.gov/KEMA. Garden Island.

Power outages more frequent, longer lasting; Schofield Army sergeant believed first banned under transgender policy; Dolly Parton's Oahu connections, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

It’s True: Power Outages Happening More Often In Hawai‘i. The power isn’t just going out more frequently. It’s staying out for longer. Statewide, HECO’s customers lost power an average of 2.6 times in 2004, a significant increase from five years ago when the average household or business lost power 1.5 times. Civil Beat. 

Trump OKs emergency declaration for Hawaii. President Donald Trump on Tuesday approved a disaster declaration for Hawaii, making federal assistance available to clean up and rebuild after the devastation from Hurricane Lala. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Tropical Storm Iselle unlikely to pose a threat. A storm with the same name as a cyclone that wreaked havoc on the southeastern Big Island in August 2014 is unlikely to do the same this year, predict forecasters. Tribune-Herald.

OpenAI partners with Kamehameha Schools to expand AI access for educators. OpenAI on Wednesday announced a partnership with Kamehameha Schools to provide educators and staff with secure, institution-managed access to ChatGPT, along with training and support aimed at helping schools use artificial intelligence responsibly. Star-Advertiser.

Settlement spares Hawaii Job Corps center closures. Job Corps programs in Waimanalo and Makawao are celebrating an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor that reverses the department’s 2025 decision to shut down 99 Job Corps centers around the country. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Hawaii Supreme Court hears arguments in Tommy Waters’ eligibility. The Hawaii Supreme Court on Tuesday heard oral arguments but issued no formal ruling in two consolidated cases challenging the outcome of the Aug. 8 primary election for the City Council’s East Honolulu seat currently held by Tommy Waters. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KHON2. 

Schofield Army sergeant fights ‘tooth and nail’ to return after Trump’s trans military ban. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda has filed a congressional inquiry on behalf of an Army sergeant from Schofield Barracks. Sgt. Clara Davis believes she was the first soldier to be involuntarily discharged from the military because of President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender troops. Hawaii Public Radio.

Topa Financial Center still without power, set to fully reopen in September. Basic electricity returned to the Topa Financial Center over the weekend of Saturday, Aug. 22 — more than one month after a basement chiller leak damaged critical electrical equipment and forced the towers to shut down. KHON2.

Wilson Tunnel lights could remain out for weeks after Lala. Drivers could be without lights inside the Wilson Tunnel for another two to three weeks following damage from Tropical Storm Lala. Hawaii News Now.

HPD investigates flight attendant’s death in Waikiki. The Honolulu Police Department is investigating the death of a 50-year-old Southwest Airlines flight attendant from Oklahoma who was found dead outside her Waikiki hotel after falling from her 24th-floor room during a layover Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Lawsuit Alleges Hawaiʻi Prison Staff Enabled Gang Attack. A lawsuit filed by the family of a Hawaiʻi prisoner who was severely beaten at Hālawa Correctional Facility early this year alleges prison staff allowed gang members to pass through security checkpoints to attack a protective custody inmate who was housed in another part of the facility. Civil Beat.

Dolly Parton ‘gave the world hope,’ honored for contributions in Hawaiʻi. The late legend owned a Portlock estate, opened a Hawaii Kai restaurant and raised wildfire relief funds. She had more than 40 years of connection to the islands. While in Hawaiʻi, she performed for local audiences and gave back to the community, the city said. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island

Water cut off for thousands of cattle in the Big Island's Ka'u district. Hawaiʻi Ranchers Welcome Rain But Endure Weather Whiplash. Broken fences, destroyed roads, new gulches, dead cattle and lost land may soon be the price to pay for greener grass as climate change aggravates extreme weather events. Civil Beat. KITV4. 

Water Board updated about restoration of service in Ka‘u. At a meeting of the Water Board on Tuesday, Manager-Chief Engineer Keith Okamoto said the department has been using generators to power wells and booster stations in areas where electricity has not yet been reconnected and tankers to haul water to impacted communities. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii DOT: Washed-out sections of Kau’s Highway 11 repaired. The state Department of Transportation said repairs have been completed to the sections of Mamalahoa Highway in Kau that were washed out from Hurricane Lala’s torrential rains. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. 

Kilauea lava fountains reach 500 feet before episode 54 ends. Lava fountaining at Kilauea volcano’s Halemaumau crater ended tonight after earlier marking the 54th episode since the ongoing eruption began on Dec. 23, 2024. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Maui County to hold four community meetings on ferry service. Maui County’s Department of Transportation will hold four community meetings in September to gather public input on ferry service between Maui, Lanai and eventually Molokai. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Maui Council committee advances Haʻikū fire station project, 6-2. A Maui County Council committee voted 6-2 Monday to advance three bills clearing the way for construction of a long-awaited fire station in Haʻikū, over the objections of two council members who argued the project sits on land wrongfully taken from Native Hawaiians. Maui Now.

Update: Water service gradually returns following well outage in West Kuiaha and Awalau areas of Haʻikū. After a severe electrical issue caused a well outage Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, Department of Water Supply (DWS) water service gradually returned to affected areas of Haʻikū and surrounding communities beginning Monday afternoon. Maui Now.

Maui boaters call for more security after Maalaea Harbor burglaries. Boats can be vulnerable to theft when left unattended, and boaters at Maalaea Harbor say burglaries have become a growing problem. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

U.S. Navy, NASA release final environmental impact statement for proposed use of state lands. The Navy’s proposal involves maintaining the use of 8,172 acres of state lands on Kauaʻi for operational continuity and sustaining military training, testing, and facility operations at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. Kauai Now.

Wilcox new interventional radiology suite blessed. The new suite will expand services for specialized, minimally invasive procedures so patients don’t have to leave the island, according to a Hawaii Pacific Health press release. Garden Island.

AI-generated Trask endorsement draws outrage, legal challenge filed over state House tie-breaker, American Savings Bank files IPO, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

AI-generated endorsement depicting late activist outrages Hawaiian community. Congressional candidate Nathan Berning is apologizing after using artificial intelligence to create a false endorsement from the late Native Hawaiian activist and professor Haunani-Kay Trask in a campaign ad. Hawaii News Now. Hawaii Public Radio. 

In A Big Hurricane, Don’t Count On Hawaiʻi Shelters To Protect You. Eight years ago, a Civil Beat investigation found the island’s shelters were unable to withstand even a moderate hurricane. Today, officials won’t say what improvements they’ve made. Civil Beat.

Deadline set for Hawaii Hurricane Lala tax penalty waivers. Governor Josh Green has authorized the state Department of Taxation waive penalties and interest for eligible taxpayers impacted by Hurricane Lala who can’t timely file certain tax returns or make payments. KITV4. KHON2. 

American Savings Bank files for an initial public offering. Hawaii’s third-largest bank with $9.05 billion in assets said the number of shares for its proposed initial public offering and the price range for the offering have yet to be determined. Star-Advertiser.

100 Autopsies: Meth Deaths Spiking 40 Years After Ice Seized Hawaiʻi. Hawaiʻi was ground zero for smoking methamphetamine in the U.S. Today, it’s the only place where meth is far deadlier than opioids — yet the state has been slow to act. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Legal challenge filed over tiebreaker for state House seat. Rep. Kanani Souza (R, Kapolei- Makakilo), who recently lost her seat in the Legislature due to a drawing of names to break a tie in Hawaii’s Aug. 8 primary election has filed a complaint in court alleging the draw was neither random nor legal. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Alternatives to Hawaii election tie-breaker law have downsides. Hawaii is one of 28 states that determine the winner of a tied election by chance, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Most of the other 22 states use a special election or other means that include allowing a Legislature or governor to decide.  Star-Advertiser.

Flooding averted at Wahiawa dam during Hurricane Lala. Ongoing state construction to improve Wahiawa Dam may have spared Waialua and Haleiwa residents from a devastating flood during heavy rain from Hurricane Lala five months after a Kona-low storm threatened lives and damaged property in the two communities. Star-Advertiser.

Department of Health warns about fentanyl-laced cocaine. The state Department of Health issued a warning Saturday about “a dangerous batch of fentanyl-laced cocaine” after five people between the ages of 22 and 32 overdosed in Waikiki early Thursday morning. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

More than 6,000 HECO customers still without power; additional crews, equipment arrive. Additional Hawaiian Electric employees arrived Monday on Hawaii Island — including line-workers, engineering and other support teams from Maui and Oahu — to aid in restoration efforts and help speed recovery. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

‘It’s going to be a big loss’: Lala devastates Ka‘u coffee farms right before harvest time. As the remnants of the former Tropical Storm Moke push westward beyond the islands, Ka‘u coffee growers continue to survey extensive damage to their farms caused by flooding and winds from Hurricane Lala. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii Public Radio.

Still no electricity at Hilo apartment complex. While Hawaiian Electric confirmed it had restored power to that portion of the grid, an issue with  Waiakea Villas' transformer has caused a prolonged outage for the 200-plus unit apartment complex. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Partially Reopens Ahead Of Next Eruption. As Kīlauea builds to its next lava fountain episode, the park reopens after a precautionary severe weather closure. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Rural Maui Residents Still Isolated After Lala Washed Away Bridge. Emergency crews are flying in supplies to Nāhiku but a decades-long debate over who owns the bridge is complicating a long-term solution for this small community along the Road to Hana. Civil Beat. Maui Now. 

Summit District of Haleakalā National Park remains closed for continued storm recovery. The Summit District of Haleakalā National Park remains closed following recent storms and the ongoing closure of Crater Road (Route 378). Recovery efforts, including hazard tree removal, continue along the roadway. The Kīpahulu District and Kīpahulu Campground remain open to the public. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Community College opens fall semester. Opening enrollment census indicated 1,266 students, according to the KCC Marketing office. This census is close to the 1,306 students recorded during the 2025 fall semester opening. Garden Island.

Land Board set to rule Friday on aquarium fish harvesting, 6 in 10 lost power during Hurricane Lala, UH secures $647.3M for research, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Keep wild reef fish in their Hawaiʻi homes or return to removing hundreds of thousands of them? The Hawaiʻi Board of Land and Natural Resources on Aug. 28 will make a critical choice about the future of the state’s reef fish: stand behind prohibiting commercial aquarium fish collection or assisting its future return. Kauai Now.

6 In 10 Lost Power During Lala. It May Take A State Inquiry To Learn Why. HECO has spent millions of dollars to strengthen its electric grid in recent years. Lala still wiped out power for most of the state. Civil Beat.

Green formally requests presidential emergency declaration following Lala. Gov. Josh Green has formally requested the White House for a presidential emergency declaration for Hawaii following Hurricane Lala. The request, which covers the counties of Hawaii, Maui and Honolulu, asks for immediate federal assistance to protect public health and safety, maintain essential services and support communities recovering from Lala as Tropical Storm Moke approaches, according to the governor’s office. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now. 

Before aid arrives, Hawaii’s community networks step up. From the 2018 Kauai floods and Lower Puna eruption on Hawaii Island, to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2023 Maui wildfires and this year’s run of destructive storms, communities across the islands have repeatedly stepped up to identify needs, mobilize resources and care for vulnerable residents. Star-Advertiser.

Moke weakens to a depression, flood watch remains posted for Hawaii Island. Showers on the northern periphery of Moke will bring wet conditions and a risk of flash flooding on the Big Island, while less rainfall is expected to impact windward sections from Maui to Kauai over the next couple of days. Hawaii News Now.

El Nino-fueled hurricane season just getting started. Hurricane season is in full swing this summer with El Nino expected to be one of the strongest on record — and experts say Hawaii should be ready for up to 13 cyclones in the area through November. Star-Advertiser.

How Storms Can Be A Boon For Invasive Species In Hawaiʻi. Climate-fueled storms like Hurricane Lala may help spread invasive pests, plants and pathogens already on the islands and usher new ones into the state. Experts say Hawaiʻi needs more advance planning. Civil Beat.

UH secures $647.3 million in extramural funding. The University of Hawaii secured $647.3 million in extramural funding in fiscal year 2026, its second-highest total on record, even as changes to federal science funding have disrupted university research nationwide.UH officials say the results reflect the ability of researchers to adapt to shifting federal priorities while maintaining a focus on research with direct impacts on Hawaii communities. Star-Advertiser.

White Kids Sued Kamehameha. Native Hawaiians Can’t Get In Either. Gaining admission to the school — which can be a life-changing opportunity — is a competitive and challenging process for many Native Hawaiian families. Civil Beat.
 
Commentary: Uh-Oh, Dissing The US Supreme Court Did Not Go Unnoticed.  Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Justice Todd Eddins generated national attention last month when he accused the U.S. Supreme Court of, among other things, racism and “white sight.” Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Liquor Commission picks former FBI agent to lead agency. The Honolulu Liquor Commission has voted to appoint Jason K. White, a veteran federal law enforcement executive with over 20 years of experience, as its next administrator. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Lala toppled hundreds of trees across the state. On Oahu alone, the City and County of Honolulu has since the previous weekend received close to 500 calls for tree debris removal around the island. In city parks, people reported more than 120 fallen trees and branches, including two legacy ironwoods near Kapi‘olani Regional Park that were considered exceptional. Star-Advertiser.

Aiea Loop Trail closed for work on Lala-damaged transmission structure. Keaiwa State Recreation Area and the Aiea Loop Trail will be closed until Fridayas Hawaiian Electric Co. crews work to replace a transmission structure damaged by Tropical Storm Lala. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane strike on Oahu would be catastrophic. A direct hit on Oahu by a tropical storm or hurricane would unleash destruction across Hawaii’s economic center unlike any other event documented in state history. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Is Activating A New Temporary Disaster Program. The county created a new program to respond to disasters and the mayor is now planning to hire a recovery officer to head it. Civil Beat.

Moke weakens to tropical depression but up to 6 more inches of rain forecast through Monday on Big Island. A flood watch remains in effect through Monday for Hawaiʻi Island because areas are still wet and saturated from Hurricane Lala. Big Island Now.

Storm-stricken Naalehu residents find comfort in community as they rebuild. The Kau district was hardest hit when Lala moved slowly past South Point on Aug. 15 as a Category 1 hurricane, dumping over 30 inches of rain in some areas before passing south of the other islands as a powerful tropical storm. Star-Advertiser.

Cultural, forensic experts help in recovery of remains at Naalehu Cemetery. A Hawaii National Guard team working to document the displaced burials has identified 69 sets of human remains in the area. Star-Advertiser.

Peter Boy’s siblings due to receive $3.25M settlement. Chauntelle Acol had just turned 8 and was in the second grade in 1997 when her stepfather treated her and her older brother, Allan, to burritos and Sprite, sat them down on their back porch and told them that “Pepe was going to go live with family to learn Hawaiian stuff.” Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Hotel rezoning amendments would shrink housing inventory envisioned by vacation rental phase-out, critics say. Three amendments proposed by Maui County Council members would add 16 properties—some overlapping between proposals—to a list of apartment-zoned properties used as vacation rentals and slated for rezoning into newly created hotel-zoned districts. The move would further shrink the pool of units that the much-debated Bill 9 would convert to long-term housing, opponents of the resolutions argued. Maui Now.

FEMA to donate Kīlohana modular units to Maui County; plans call for permanent housing. Maui County will take ownership of the 167-unit Kīlohana modular housing project, now serving Lahaina wildfire survivors, in a move that could pave the way for the temporary homes to become permanent housing, County Council members learned Wednesday. Maui Now.

Public invited to help identify Maui conservation priorities. Maui farmers, ranchers, agricultural leaders, forest landowners and conservation organizations are invited to help identify local natural resource concerns and conservation priorities during a meeting Aug. 26 at the University of Hawaii Maui College. Maui News.

Hurricane Lala washed out Nāhiku bridge. Nobody seems to know who’s responsible for rebuilding the ‘lifeline’. After Hurricane Lala’s rains and floodwaters roared through East Maui, all that was left of the aging wooden bridge that served as the “lifeline” for Darrell Richard and five other residents in Lower Nāhiku were the metal guardrails. Maui Now.

Water conservation urged in West Kuiaha, Awalau. The Maui County Department of Water Supply is advising those in the West Kuiaha and Awalau areas to conserve water due to a well that is out of service. Maui News.

Kauai

Community organizations, local media to host Kaua‘i Mayoral Debate Aug. 27. Kaua‘i residents will have an opportunity to hear directly from mayoral candidates Mel Rapozo and Bernard Carvalho Jr. during the island’s first live Kaua‘i Mayoral Debate since the primaries on Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi County takes step to harden homes against wildfires.  If adopted, the revised building codes would reduce the ways a fire can jump from fields to homes. Aloha State Daily.

Lawsuit filed in Napali coast ‘doors-off’ helicopter tour crash. The “doors-off” sightseeing helicopter tour that Patrick Haskell, 59, and Margaret Rimmler, 65, took March 26 along the picturesque Napali Coast on Kauai was supposed to be safe. When the Airborne Aviation helicopter they were flying in crashed into the ocean off Kalalau Beach, the Massachusetts married couple did not die from falling out of the aircraft or the initial impact. Instead, they drowned inside the helicopter because they were unable to escape, according to a lawsuit filed Aug. 5 in Kauai Circuit Court. Star-Advertiser.