Ranchers seek more land, deepfake political messaging targeted, Senate to hold public hearing on vacation rental bill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Ranchers Want More Land Transferred To The State Agriculture Department. Gov. Josh Green's administration has moved quickly to shift thousands of acres out of DLNR's control to boost ag production but more remains on the table. Civil Beat.

Deepfake political messaging is targeted. In an effort to keep artificial intelligence — or deepfake — messaging out of Hawaii elections, two bills would ban false information of a candidate or party, and a third would make it a petty misdemeanor to distribute — or conspire to distribute — fake political messages. Star-Advertiser.

Candidates began ballot process Thursday. Candidates for this year’s Primary and General elections can begin the process to have their names on the ballot starting Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.

Hawai‘i State Senate to hold public hearing on vacation rental bill. On Friday, three Senate Committees will hold a joint public hearing on Senate Bill 2919, which establishes certain State Regulations for short-term vacation rentals, allows the counties to adopt zoning ordinances and regulations for the amortization or phasing out of certain lands or structures, and applies the TAT to shelters and vehicles with, or advertised as including, sleeping accommodations. Big Island Now.

Proposed state-wide ban on single-use plastics pushes for truly green alternatives. It’s been over a year since a ban on single-use plastics went into effect on Oahu, but lawmakers are looking at a new proposal that would ban it statewide and ensure the alternatives aren’t adding to the problem. KHON2.

Hawaiian Homelands Chair Embarks On 'Aggressive' Agenda At Legislature. Kali Watson is asking lawmakers for more time to spend $600 million for Native Hawaiian homesteads as well as more influence. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Proposed bill will require Olelo Hawaii as high school graduating requirement. A new bill has been proposed that will require students to take two years of Hawaiian language as a requirement for high school graduation. KHON2.

From tents to barns, Hawaiʻi charter school advocates say it's time for a permanent campus. Advocates are urging state lawmakers to introduce a resolution to address the facilities issue as charter schools have long grappled with the problem that charter schools don't get funding for capital improvement projects. Hawaii Public Radio.

Alaska Airlines creates local advisory board as it moves to acquire Hawaiian Airlines. Alaska Airlines announced Monday that it has established a Hawai‘i Community Advisory Board, or HICAB, to honor the legacy and significance of the Hawaiian Airlines brand as the airlines work toward combining as well as to reinforce Alaska Airlines’ expanded role in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Council bill for affordable rental housing advances. The Honolulu City Council has advanced a first-reading measure meant to give private developers of affordable rental projects more financial incentives to build. Star-Advertiser.

DOH orders Navy to retest Waiawa Shaft after complaints from users. The state Department of Health ordered the Navy to retest Waiawa Shaft after being informed of about 50 tap water and air quality complaints from Navy water system users. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Prosecuting attorney investigating Thursday’s shooting by police officer. The Department of the Prosecuting Attorney is investigating Thursday’s fatal shooting by a police officer in Makaha while the Hono­lulu Police Department also works to determine whether the man was armed when he lunged at officers. Star-Advertiser.

Concern Hawaii acid attack could chill Chinese tourism. The suspect in an acid attack appeared in court Monday and will be back in court Wednesday. Sebastian Mahkwan has been charged with attempted murder and assault charges. KITV4.

Family-run Wahiawa egg farm Peterson’s Upland Farm to close. Peterson’s Upland Farm, a family-run egg farm in Wahiawa, says it will be closing after 114 years in business. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

A Birth On A Hilo Sidewalk Reflects Challenges In Helping A Growing Homeless Community. The infant's homeless, mentally ill mother is back on the streets as law enforcement wrestles with whether to charge her. Civil Beat.

Kona legislators introduce stricter coffee labeling laws. The move comes in response to deceptive labeling concerns and a recent report from the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, which offered clear economic justification for the Legislature to increase the minimum content required for a product to bear the Kona name on its packaging. Big Island Now.

Measures seek to ease Puna’s insurance crisis. With Universal, one of the last providers offering coverage in lower Puna, abandoning ship, most homeowners will be left with only one insurance option: the state-run provider of last resort, Hawaii Property Insurance Association, whose yearly rates for basic coverage have ballooned to thousands of dollars. Tribune-Herald.

Proposed Kona Vistas project to go before Land Use Commission. A proposed Kona development that has spent decades in planning and is vehemently opposed by neighboring communities will be in front of the state Land Use Commission on Feb. 7 to address questions related to the project. West Hawaii Today.

BISAC launches detox clinic. As substance abuse continues to plague vulnerable populations, Hawaii Island’s first nonprofit detoxification clinic will open for clients this Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

One year later: Haleakalā fuel cleanup nears final remediation. A year ago today, nearly 700 gallons of diesel fuel spilled at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex at Haleakalā’s summit. Since then Air Force reports its officials have worked with the Maui community and Native Hawaiian organizations to remediate the site. Maui Now.

Boat groundings on Maui continue to escalate. The state has awarded an $842,000 contract to salvage one grounded boat and is considering a large fine against the owner of another — part of a year that saw an unusual number of vessels get stuck on the shorelines of Maui County. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.  Maui News.

Kauai

Safeway helps nourish neighbors on Kaua‘i. The crew at the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i wrapped up a busy week by accepting 13 pallets of food at its Puhi Industrial Park offices and warehouse on Friday afternoon. Garden Island.

Legislature advances plastic water bottle ban, Green files harassment claim against Republican senator for racial remarks, Zuckerberg wrongful death suit set for trial, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Plastic Water Bottles May Be Next Ban In Hawaii’s War Against Pollution. On Tuesday, state lawmakers advanced a bill that would prevent plastic water bottles holding less than 2 liters from being sold within the state, adding them to a roster of other materials like plastic utensils and plastic bags that counties have banned in recent years. Civil Beat.

The End Of The Hawaii Tourism Authority? Lawmakers May Pull The Plug. The 25-year-old agency has been under growing scrutiny in recent months. Measures proposed in the House and Senate differ in several ways but share a common goal: to essentially eliminate the Hawaii Tourism Authority and replace it with an agency focused on destination management. Civil Beat.

Green files harassment claim against lawmaker who compared housing director to the devil. Hawaiian Home Lands spending questions turn racial.  Questions over how to spend $600 million in record funding for Native Hawaiian homes have gotten sidetracked by issues of race after state Sen. Kurt Fevella testified before the Hawaiian Home Lands Commission that Gov. Josh Green’s pick to lead the state’s housing efforts lacks “passion” for Hawaiians. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii bill looks to increase capital gains taxes. Currently, capital gains are taxed at a lower maximum rate of 7.5% than your average income in Hawaii at 11%. A new bill in the state legislature is looking to tax these investments like any other wage. KHON2.

Speeding up the process: Bill would require third-party consultant for some historic reviews. A bill aimed at speeding up historic preservation reviews cleared its first committee Tuesday. House Bill 202 would require the Department of Land and Natural Resources State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) to contract its review of proposed state projects affecting historic properties to third-party consultants if the department will not be able to complete the review within 60 days. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaiʻi Realtors Legislative Agenda: Affordable Housing and Cesspools. The statewide association supports a bill that would allow the counties to reclassify up to 100 acres of nonessential agricultural land if at least half of it is for affordable housing. Hawaii Business Magazine.

86% of Hawaiʻi residents want marijuana legalization. The Hawai’i Cannabis Industry Association released information from a new survey that shows residents of Hawai’i are in support of full legalization of marijuana. KHON2.

Lawmakers seek to lower blood alcohol threshold for DUI. With more than 40% of traffic fatalities involving alcohol, the state House and Senate are considering new bills that could lower the blood alcohol concentration limit from 0.08% to 0.05%. Tribune-Herald.

Case Leaves Blue Dogs Behind, But Still Holds On To His Moderate Values. Internal disagreements within the centrist coalition caused a number of Democrats, including the Hawaii congressman, to move on. Civil Beat.

Extra vigilance urged around mother humpback whales and calves. Wildlife officials once again are urging boaters, for both their own safety as well as that of the whales, to slow down and drive with caution in sanctuary waters during the peak of humpback whale season in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

New Report Shows HPD Disciplined Officers Involved In Cases Of Police Brutality.  Eight officers in the Honolulu Police Department were suspended or discharged in 2022 for violent incidents involving the mistreatment of prisoners and in some instances using excessive force to detain people. In all, HPD disciplined 22 police officers in 14 cases last year, according to the department’s annual police misconduct report filed with the Legislature on Tuesday.  Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Navy awards contract for Red Hill alternatives. The Navy announced Tuesday that it has awarded a contract to Hawaii-based Nakupuna Cos. to develop a public outreach program to look for proposals on how to repurpose the underground Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility after the military removes the roughly 104 million gallons of fuel stored in the facility’s aging World War II-era tanks. Star-Advertiser.

Aloha Stadium fans invited to final public event. The Stadium Authority, a state agency trying to redevelop the 47-year-old facility in Halawa, which was condemned for spectator events in late 2020, has organized a closing ceremony event for 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 25,  featuring field-goal kicking and other football practice activities on the field, food trucks and unguided tours of internal parts of the stadium not typically open to the public, including a Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame display, locker rooms and prized UH sports memorabilia. Star-Advertiser.

City Council approves plan to fast-track 43-story affordable housing condo in Moiliili. The Honolulu City Council unanimously voted to approve exemptions for construction fees of Kuilei Place condo that would have cost the developer Kobayashi Group $12.3 million.  Hawaii News Now.

After years on the beach, these Native Hawaiians occupied a housing complex. Some got to stay. After living on the beach on the Waianae Coast for years, nearly two dozen homeless Native Hawaiians planned a move Tuesday ― showing up at an affordable housing complex. Hawaii News Now.

Mob boss trial could be moved out of Hawaiʻi . A recent filing in Federal Court has asked that accused crime boss Michael Miske and five of his co-defendants have their trial moved out of Hawai’i. KHON2.

The Scope Of Heavy Pesticide Use On Oahu Is Finally In The Public Domain. Information on restricted pesticide use in Hawaii was kept private until a 2018 law required transparency. Environmental advocates want more restrictions.  Civil Beat.

U.S. Army Garrison to dispose of 4 unexploded ordnance on Oahu. Four munitions from 60 to 155 millimeters in size and will be disposed of from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m today. Star-Advertiser.

Inouye Elementary assistant principal wins $25K Milken award. Esther Kwon — a Daniel K. Inouye Elementary School educator whom some students fondly call “DJ Kwon” for her use of music to engage students in her class — was named Hawaii’s latest recipient of the prestigious Milken Educator Award at a surprise award ceremony Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Supreme Court Grills Hu Honua In Latest Appeal. The two-hour hearing delved into the tree-burning power project's legal claims after the PUC denied its permit. Civil Beat.

Bill would require public approval of Maunakea summit land use changes. Senate Bill 265, introduced by Oahu Sen. Kurt Fevella, a Republican, would require that any action by the state or University of Hawaii involving the Maunakea Science Reserve on the summit receive public approval through a referendum of all adult residents of the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

Jail policies same after Hilo inmate beating; but state’s security cameras being improved. Following the brutal beating of an inmate by four corrections officers in 2015 at Hawai‘i Community Correctional Center in Hilo, no facility policy changes were made in relation to the incident. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui bike tours face new limits starting today. An ordinance approved by the Maui County Council establishes new restrictions on commercial bicycle tour companies and prohibits them from riding through Kula, which eliminates about a third of the ride down the mountain. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

3 female employees file suit against MPD, alleging gender discrimination and harassment. Three female Maui police employees are suing the Maui Police Department, alleging gender discrimination, retaliation, a hostile work environment and harassment. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

700 gallons of diesel fuel spilled at Maui Space Surveillance Complex at Haleakalā. An estimated 700 gallons of diesel fuel spilled at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex located at the summit of Haleakalā, the US Pacific Air Forces reported. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

GoFundMe set up for Maui firefighter, Tre Evans-Dumaran. A Maui firefighter who was swept into a storm drain during flood response in Kīhei Friday, continues to fight for his life. Maui Now.

Kauai

Wrongful death suit of security guard at Zuckerberg’s Kauaʻi ranch gets trial date. Hospitalized security guard Rodney Medeiros died before dawn on Aug. 5, 2019 – the victim of a heart attack that began the previous evening, on a rain-drenched trail within Meta billionaire Mark Zuckerberg’s sprawling property on the Hawaiian island of Kaua‘i. Kauai Now.

6 Habitat for Humanity houses coming to Kalaheo. Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Milani Pimental announced Monday that the Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity has acquired a 0.83 acre parcel of land off of Pu‘u Road in Kalaheo. Garden Island.

Malama Kaua‘i selling more than 100 dozen local eggs weekly during nationwide shortage. Malama Kaua‘i, a community-based organization focused on increasing local food production and access, is ramping up production through its egg program.  Kauai Now.

First Kaua‘i ocean count sees 94 whales. The Kaua‘i total is accumulated from observations done through the various sites around the island that include the Ahukini State Recreational Pier area. Garden Island.

Voters want legislative term limits, alleged Russian spies lived quietly on Oahu, health care access dismal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Legislature gets low marks for handling of corruption. The state Legislature gets an abysmally low rating for policing internal corruption in a poll of registered Hawaii voters who also overwhelmingly support lawmaker term limits and more funding for regulatory commissions focused on ethics and campaign spending. Star-Advertiser.

Education: Governor Candidates Say More Money Is Needed To Fix Hawaii’s Schools. Both Josh Green and Vicky Cayetano say teacher pay increases are key to improving the system. The candidates also floated ideas such as housing stipends and a new literacy program. Civil Beat.

Hawaii police officers get a raise and bonus under new union contract. Police officers across the state are getting a pay raise. The new contract was issued by the arbitrator on Tuesday. They'll get a pay raise amounting to 15.76% in their base wage. KITV4.

Does US Sen. Brian Schatz Have ‘A Job For Life?’ Hawaii’s senior senator is on the ballot this year but faces little competition. Some say it’s because he made all the right moves. Civil Beat.

They lived quiet lives in Hawaii for years. The US alleges they were actually Russian spies. A couple living quietly in Kapolei for years were actually Russian spies, federal agents with the state Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security Service allege. Walter Glenn Primose, also known as Bobby Edward Fort, and Gwynn Darle Morrison, aka Julie Lyn Montague, were arrested in a raid Friday morning. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Former Kaneohe Marine associated with neo-Nazi group plotted attacks, feds say. Prosecutors allege that while serving at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe, Cpl. Matthew Bel­anger was secretly conspiring to commit mass murder and sexual assault to “decrease the number of minority residents” in the United States as part of his membership in a far-right neo-Nazi group called Rape­krieg. Star-Advertiser.

Molokaʻi, Honolulu Airports to receive $34M to improve infrastructure and safety. Moloka‘i Airport and the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Oʻahu will receive nearly $34 million in combined funding from the US Department of Transportation to improve their runways and taxiways. Maui Now.

Health care access in Hawaii bleak, report finds. Community First, a nonprofit based in Hilo, released the “Access to Care” report Tuesday — a snapshot based on online survey results from nearly 3,300 Hawaii residents, along with input from more than 300 health care providers statewide in April and May. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

New diversity director of Queen’s Health System seeks to better serve Hawaiʻi’s diverse communities. Hepua Hermosura, a licensed clinical psychologist, will lead Queen’s initiatives to better serve and support Hawaiʻi’s diverse communities. She said that means ensuring all identities across race, ethnicity, culture, gender and sexual orientation are represented in decision making. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Public support for stadium replacement plan is shaky. Hawaii lawmakers and Gov. David Ige recently recommitted to replacing Aloha Stadium at its Halawa site, but voters electing the state’s next governor in November appear widely split over the bogged-down, roughly $400 million plan. Star-Advertiser.

HART: Cracking Could Require Building More Piers Under West Oahu Stations. The city and its consultants should release their findings on the potentially significant cracking problem in six to eight weeks. Civil Beat.

City council members concerned over manufacturer price gouging ahead of plastic, polystyrene foam container ban. As the city prepares to enforce the final phase of ordinance 19-30, banning plastic and polystyrene foam food containers from eateries and businesses, Honolulu city council members raised several concerns at a briefing Tuesday. KITV4.

Hawaii Health Department details concerns about Navy’s defueling plan in rejection letter. The Hawaii Department of Health has rejected the Navy’s plan to defuel its Red Hill fuel facility, laying out a list of shortcomings in a letter to Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett, commander of Navy Region Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

A Navy Captain Was Faulted For His Red Hill Response. But He’s Still Working There. A Navy captain who was relieved of command over “leadership and oversight failures” after the catastrophic fuel leak at the Red Hill facility in November is still working on petroleum operations at the storage complex, according to the Navy. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Council considering suspending bus fares to increase ridership. To increase TheBus ridership, the Honolulu City Council is considering suspending public transportation fares for HOLO card users from Aug. 22 to 26. Star-Advertiser.

Librarian: Homeless encampments at Oahu public libraries bring ‘compassion fatigue’. State library officials said Tuesday they’re working with the Sheriffs Department to keep homeless camps off their properties. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Telecommunications outage in West Hawaii resolved. The hours-long telecommunications outage that impacted much of West Hawaii was caused by the accidental severing of a fiber optic cable by a construction company working in a remote area near Waikoloa Village, according to Hawaiian Telcom. West Hawaii Today. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Maui Now.

Maui

Here Are Answers To Commonly Asked Questions About Voting In Maui County. Still not registered to vote? Not sure whether you can vote by mail or in-person? Civil Beat.

Molokai residents Lynn DeCoite and Walter Ritte face off for second straight election. After losing by just 94 votes in 2020, longtime Hawaiian activist and community organizer Walter Ritte again is taking on incumbent Lynn Pualani De­Coite in the Aug. 13 Democratic primary — except challenging De­Coite for her Senate seat this time. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Police Department Deputy Chief Olsen resigns amid union criticism. Kaua‘i Police Department Deputy Chief Stan Olsen announced last week that he would be resigning from the Kaua‘i Police Department effective Aug. 26, citing personal reasons. Olsen became the subject of State of Hawai‘i Organization of Police Officers criticism after airport security discovered a loaded, department-issued handgun in his carry-on bag at Lihu‘e Airport in April. Garden Island.

Ige signs historic $600M for Hawaiian homesteads, Bishop Museum officials on leave, Hawaii County bans all but mineral sunscreens, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Historic $600 million homestead bill becomes law. Gov. David Ige signed a bill Monday that allocates $600 million to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. The funding will support Hawaiian homestead development and will assist DHHL beneficiaries’ housing finances. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News. Maui Now. KITV4.

Webb Space Telescope First Images Target UH Discovery. The very first image taken with the James Webb Space Telescope have been released by NASA and The White House, and it features an enormous cluster of galaxies originally discovered by researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy. Big Island Video News.

Ikaika Anderson receives key endorsement, Sylvia Luke has most in race for lieutenant governor. Former Honolulu Council Chair Ikaika Anderson has received a key endorsement from the powerful carpenters union in his bid to become Hawaii’s next lieutenant governor, but one of his Democratic opponents — state House Finance Chair Sylvia Luke — has endorsements and “recommendations” from 11 labor unions and other organizations with just over a month until the Aug. 13 Democratic primary election. Star-Advertiser.

RIMPAC highlights Coast Guard’s growing importance in the Pacific. As Navy ships from around the world begin sailing out of Pearl Harbor for the biennial exercise Rim of the Pacific, members of the Coast Guard’s Sector Honolulu are prepping for their own contributions to the war game exercise. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines announces suspension of its direct service to Orlando this fall. The airline also said their last departure is scheduled for September 7 with the final return flight set for September 8. Guests who have booked flights to Orlando beyond those dates will receive full refunds. Hawaii News Now.

Mokulele Airlines is expanding its service. Mokulele Airlines is making good on the promise that it made to expand interisland service to meet the community’s needs back in January 2021 when it became the only airline that flies to both Molokai and Lanai. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

One Man’s Mission To Map 35 Trails In Hawaii. The effort is part of a state initiative to provide better signage and information for hikers that improves access and public safety. Civil Beat.

Hawaii actors sought for Jason Momoa production. A casting call has been issued for actors wishing to appear in a Jason Momoa project, which is believed to be “Chief of War,” an epic saga about the unification and colonization of the Hawaiian Islands. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

3 top leaders at Bishop Museum on leave amid internal probe. Bishop Museum President and CEO Melanie Ide today said she will be resigning from her post after she and two other officials were placed on paid administrative leave and banned from the museum property over alleged workplace concerns raised by employees. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hold the plastic! City rules on single-use foodware to take effect after long delay. After a lengthy pandemic-related delay, the city’s ban on foam plate lunch containers along with disposable plastic food, drink and other serviceware is set to take effect on Sept. 6 ― and eateries are gearing up. Hawaii News Now.

Restaurants could soon start to use city sidewalks again for outdoor dining. Restaurants may soon be able to use public sidewalks for outdoor seating under a new pilot program that was approved unanimously last week by the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Overnight park closures considered to curb illegal camping. Some members of the community are asking for certain parks to close overnight or close earlier in order to curb illegal activities. The City’s Parks and Recreation Department said it is gathering input from neighbors as it considers new closing times. KHON2.

Two large-scale solar and battery storage facilities planned on Oʻahu. The technology group Wärtsilä announced today plans for two large-scale solar and battery storage facilities on Oʻahu, totaling 75 MW of solar and 300 MWh of battery storage. Maui Now.

The Fight To Save A Top Hawaii Defense Contractor As Federal Fraud Charges Swirl. Longtime Honolulu businessman Steven Loui is trying to salvage the company he founded more than 40 years ago as its recent CEO, Martin Kao, faces criminal charges over federal pandemic relief funds. Civil Beat.

Oʻahu bike-share program Biki celebrates 5th anniversary. Ridership that first year was over 350,000. Then in 2019, Biki surpassed 1 million rides — its strongest year so far. It's grown to over 1,300 bikes at more than 130 stops stretching from Dole Cannery to Kapiʻolani Community College. Hawaii Public Radio.

808 Cleanups Shares the Concept of Aloha ‘Āina. Volunteers started out cleaning graffiti. Now they restore beaches, hiking trails and other natural places from mauka to makai. Hawaii Business Magazine.

Hawaii Island

Sunscreen ban becomes law: Roth lets bill become law without his signature. Sunscreens containing any active ingredient other than titanium dioxide and zinc oxide will be banned from sale on Hawaii Island starting Dec. 1, under a bill Mayor Mitch Roth let become law Friday without his signature. West Hawaii Today.

Ex-HCCC guards convicted of beating inmate, violating his rights. Three fired corrections officers at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in Hilo have been convicted of the brutal beating of an inmate in 2015 and for violating the man’s civil rights by attempting to cover up the use of excessive force. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Public encouraged to sign Books of Condolences in remembrance of Abe. Hawaii County, in partnership with the Honorary Consul General of Japan in Hilo, Art Taniguchi, is hosting Books of Condolences in memory of fallen Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Maui

Wastewater pilot project offers promising results. Grass-based system filtering more wastewater than researchers expected. A team of specialists may have found nature-based, low-cost solutions for managing and reusing excess treated wastewater leaching into the ground and ocean from cesspools and injection wells. Maui News.

Maui sewer user fee increases go into effect. The Department of Environmental Management’s Wastewater Reclamation Division reminds customers that sewer user fees have increased by an average of 3% as part of Maui County Fiscal Year 2023 budget that went into effect July 1. Maui Now.

Come August, Iao Valley to be closed until early 2023. A popular state monument on Maui is about to undergo a months-long closure. Starting August 1, Iao Valley State Monument will be closing to allow contractors to complete slope stabilization work and parking lot improvements. Hawaii News Now.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide looking to hire 130 employees at four Maui resorts. Marriott Vacations Worldwide is hiring for up to 130 positions locally at its four Maui resorts which include: Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, The Westin Kāʻanapali Ocean Resort Villas, The Westin Kāʻanapali Ocean Resort Villas North and The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas. Maui Now.

Kauai

First-Time Kauai Mayoral Candidates Attack Kawakami’s Rigid Pandemic Response. The same public health policies that won Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami statewide praise now serve as ammunition for three new political candidates vying to oust him. Civil Beat.

Kaua‘i is electrifying its bus fleet. To meet the statewide requirement to transition light-vehicle fleets to zero-emissions by 2035, the county is moving forward on plans to purchase several electric transit buses. Garden Island.

County studying transportation needs on Kauaʻi. The Office of Economic Development has created a survey as part of the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP), through which the County of Kaua‘i is receiving technical assistance to study ways to improve the island’s transportation system through integrating emerging transportation technology. Garden Island.

Honolulu delays plastic, polystyrene ban, Maui hospital seeks more state aid, 'The Flash' actor Ezra Miller arrested in Hilo bar, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Man checks out Hawaii lunch plate ©2022 All Hawaii News

Honolulu’s Ban On Plastic And Polystyrene Containers Is On Hold For 6 Months. Implementation of Honolulu’s ban on plastic and polystyrene containers is being further delayed after businesses said supply chain challenges are preventing them from complying. Civil Beat.

Bill To Ban Male Jail Guards From Strip Searching Female Inmates Advances. Senate Bill 2777 faces another hearing in the House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee on Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers call on exploring a four-day work week. Some lawmakers said a four-day work week may not be such a bad idea, and now there is a proposal to create a task force to explore this possibility. KHON2.

Citizen whale counts wrap up for 2022 season. This season’s totals for the three days were higher than last year’s and almost equivalent to 2019. The one-day volunteer counts provide a snapshot of humpback whale sightings and activity from the shoreline across multiple sites, as distinguished from deeper research into population trends. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Water use on Oahu continues rising. Water use on Oahu has continued to increase since November, despite the Honolulu Board of Water Supply urging residents to implement conservation measures after a fuel leak at the Navy’s Red Hill fuel facility resulted in the closing of three municipal wells. Star-Advertiser.

$1B to defuel Red Hill in budget proposal. President Joe Biden included $1 billion to defuel the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in his annual budget proposal. This is on top of the hundreds of millions already directed toward dealing with the water contamination crisis. KHON2.

Punawai Hale hoping for full occupancy. Punawai Hale studio apartments hopes to finally fill its 20 units with once-homeless residents by the end of the month after opening in November 2020. Star-Advertiser.

Planning for new Oahu jail hits snag over state funding. Hawaii’s 50-member House of Representatives recently passed a state budget draft that rejects a request from Gov. David Ige to allocate $15 million for continued planning and procurement work to build a new Oahu Community Correctional Center in Halawa. Star-Advertiser.

City expands homeless outreach response team to Kailua. The city’s Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement units, or CORE, made contact with 10 unsheltered individuals living across Kailua last week. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

$600 million DHHL bill advances. A bill that would allocate $112 million to Big Island housing projects on Hawaiian Home Lands is still alive and moving through the Senate. Tribune-Herald.

‘The Flash’ actor Ezra Miller arrested at Hawaii Island bar. Actor Ezra Miller, who has prominent roles in the Justice League and Harry Potter “Fantastic Beasts” film franchises, was arrested for suspicion of disorderly conduct and harassment early Monday after allegedly becoming belligerent at Margarita Village on Silva Street. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Maui

Maui’s Private Hospital System Is In Need Of More State Aid. The hospital group is expected to request a state subsidy increase for the first time since Kaiser took over five years ago. Civil Beat.

Kaiser Permanente’s clinic in Kīhei reopens April 4. After being closed for more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi’s clinic in Kīhei will reopen April 4. Maui Now.

College enrollment still trails pre-pandemic levels. There was a slight recovery in college-bound enrollment by Maui County’s 2021 graduating high school seniors compared to the previous graduating class, but efforts to continue higher education are still being hampered by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on education. Maui News.

Online public meeting to discuss South Maui budget priorities Wednesday. Hosted by Maui County Council Member Kelly Takaya King, a virtual town hall at 6 p.m. Wednesday will discuss South Maui budget priorities for fiscal year 2023. Maui Now.

Former Maui DWS employee says he was fired for pointing out contamination concerns. One year after filing a whistleblower lawsuit against Maui County, a former Department of Water Supply employee is still fighting for his job back. Ashley Hooks’ lawsuit claims he was retaliated against and unlawfully fired in 2020 after he alerted the state that Maui’s largest surface water treatment facility had been contaminated. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

DeCosta’s agriculture bills get pushback from local lawyer. A trio of proposed bills that would eliminate tax exemptions for large-scale tree farms, orchards and wasteland was met with some resistance at a public hearing last week. Garden Island.

How cuts in state mental health care affect Kaua‘i. On Kaua‘i, one clinical psychologist, one social-service assistant and six human-service professionals were laid off as part of the 2020 cuts. Now, despite a state budget surplus, whether or not these positions will be restored remains an open question. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi County to temporarily suspend rental relief program during April. Kauaʻi County will temporarily suspend its rental relief program next month. But government officials will still be accepting new applications for assistance. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers want Kauai’s Russian Fort Elizabeth to have a new name. Resolutions moving through the state Legislature urge the Board of Land and Natural Resources to restore the eastern shoreline of Kauai’s Waimea Valley, currently called Russian Fort Elizabeth Park, to its former Hawaiian name, Paulaula. Star-Advertiser.

 

Hawaii Safe Travels to end, mask mandate remains; Roth proposes 13.1% budget hike, Maui plastic foodware ban begins, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Ige to end Safe Travels but remains firm on indoor mask mandate. Gov. David Ige announced Tuesday that the Safe Travels Hawai‘i program and other COVID-19 restrictions will end when the current pandemic-related emergency proclamation expires March 25. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii’s Economy Is Rebounding Faster Than Expected. Mainland visitor arrivals in 2021 came close to meeting Hawaii’s banner year in 2019, when the state hosted more than 10 million visitors. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

‘Stand for Hawaii’: Hawaii GOP rallies to kick off 2022 election season. Members of Hawaii’s Republican Party gathered at the State Capitol Tuesday morning to rally and kickoff the 2022 election year. New and returning candidates shared their beliefs and hopes for the republican party in Hawaii, which is a deep blue state. Hawaii News Now.

Plan To Commit $600 Million To Hawaiian Home Lands Development Advances. After receiving hundreds of testimonies in favor of the measure, a key lawmaker says she will review possible  amendments and act on the bill on Thursday. Civil Beat.

Bill Calls For Direct Aid To Families For Learning Expenses. Many families could use financial assistance to help defray the cost of extra educational support during the pandemic, according to a local nonprofit. Civil Beat.

Bill aims to combat feral chicken nuisance. A bill to establish a five-year pilot program to combat feral chickens throughout the islands is moving through the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

‘Grab And Go’: How Officials Seized A Fifth Grader To Live With A Father She Barely Knew. The case provides a rare glimpse of Hawaii officials’ immense power to remove children from their households, even without a court order. Civil Beat.

Public Libraries to Reopen Wednesdays. The Hawai‘i State Public Library System announced in a news release that public library branches will reopen on Wednesdays beginning March 2. The Wednesday closures were instituted in August 2021 because of the high infection rates of the Delta and Omicron variants. Big Island Now.

Honolulu biotech firm gets emergency clearance for COVID-19 tests. FDA approves emergency use for first rapid COVID-19 test developed in Hawaiʻi. Patrick Sullivan, president and CEO of Oceanit, says the company began working on a saliva spit test but switched to a shallow nasal swab for easier use. Hawaii Public Radio. KITV4.

Hawaii reports 118 COVID cases. The Hawaii Department of Health reports 118 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, March 1. There are 74 coronavirus cases on Oahu, 15 on the Big Island, nine on Kauai, 19 on Maui and one diagnosed out of state. KHON2.

Oahu

Hundreds of misdemeanor cases are dismissed due to Hawaii Supreme Court ruling.  Hundreds of misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor cases on Oahu have been dismissed or thrown out since December due to a Hawaii Supreme Court decision. Now, the Office of the Public Defender is asking the Court to dismiss the case in which a teenager reported being sexually assaulted at Ala Moana Center. KITV4.

Navy says detections of carcinogen in Oahu water were result of lab error. A dozen samples collected from the Navy’s drinking water system in January that detected BCEE, a chemical that can increase the risk of cancer, were reported in error by a lab, according to the Navy, which said the results have now been reclassified as non-detects. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

State rejects Navy’s way to evaluate Red Hill. The state Department of Health on Monday said the Navy is not in compliance with its Dec. 6 emergency order requiring it to empty its Red Hill fuel facility after determining the contractor hired by the Navy to do an assessment of the work was not in a “position to act independently.” Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Health Department lifts ‘do not drink’ water advisory for Ford Island, Hale Moku and Hokulani. Residents of Ford Island, Hale Moku and Hokulani can resume drinking and cooking with their tap water, according to the Hawaii Department of Health, which lifted its drinking water advisory for those zones on the Navy’s water system Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

‘Waste of taxpayer money’: Some lawmakers oppose protecting coastal properties. Following the collapse of a beachfront property into the ocean on the North Shore, some lawmakers said the state should not protect the homes, but rather have them removed from the beach. Hawaii News Now.

Bill addresses concerns over visitor impacts at Sharks Cove and Pupukea tidepools. A bill arising from concerns about surging numbers of visitors to the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District on Oahu’s North Shore will be heard today by the state Senate Ways and Means Committee. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Roth proposes $689.9M spending plan, a 13.1% increase. Buoyed by rising property values from a robust real estate market, the annual budget proposed Tuesday by Mayor Mitch Roth comes in at $689.9 million, a 13.1% increase over the previous year. West Hawaii Today.


Big Island Power Plant Is Under Scrutiny By Hawaii Utilities Regulators. The Hu Honua Bioenergy plant has bogged down in complex regulatory and legal fights over the electricity costs and environmental concerns. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii County to hold hearing to discuss closure of Waipio Valley Access Road. A virtual meeting will be open to the public on March 9 between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Hawaii News Now.

Getting back to ‘normal’: With COVID restrictions lifted, some East Hawaii businesses move quickly to restore capacity. With gathering sizes no longer limited on the Big Island, businesses are eager to return to normalcy but still face staffing woes. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mauiʻs plastic disposable foodware ban is now in effect. The ban was supposed to take effect in the new year, but implementation was postponed for two months amid COVID-related supply chain delays. Maui Now. KHON2.

Hale Makua moves forward with plans for rehab center. Latest details for proposed $64.2M, 76,200-square-foot facility in Kahului have been released. Maui News.

Kauai

Kawakami Announces Kauai Mayoral Reelection Bid. The county’s voters will elect a mayor in November following the nonpartisan August primary. Civil Beat. Garden Island.

Hanalei River Bridge to see multi-million dollar repair. A project to repair and improve the Hanalei River bridge is set to be put out to bid in fall 2022 at an estimated cost of between $5 million and $10 million. Garden Island.

Hotel occupancy stays low, Maui plastic takeout ban to commence, Big Island council bans glyphosate at county parks, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Quiet hotel lobby in Hawaii ©2021 All Hawaii News

November hotel occupancy in Hawaii stays below 60%. Occupancy at Hawaii hotels in November was still significantly below the 2019 pre-pandemic level. Star-Advertiser.

Inconsistencies In Data From U.S. Military May Hold Up Hawaii Redistricting. Hawaii’s redistricting process will move forward while a commission that redraws political boundaries awaits accurate data. Civil Beat.

Residents reject redrawn Hawaii district maps, call out lack of transparency. The effort to redraw state district maps for House of Representatives and Senate seats is drawing criticism from concerned residents and neighborhood boards and raising questions about transparency. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Commentary: A Memoir By A Former Hawaii AG Fills In Some Holes In Recent State History. David Louie has a lot to say about politics and government in the islands.  Civil Beat.

Commissioners With Hawaii Ties Named To Biden’s AANHPI Panel. The Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders will help the president with policy recommendations. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i public schools consider test-to-stay COVID-19 policy. The feasibility of a test-to-stay model for Hawai‘i public schools is on the mind of administrators and officials. Test-to-stay programs allow students and staff members who have had a school associated close COVID-19 contact to continue to attend school in person if they test negative. Garden Island.

Omicron Is About To Become The Main Covid-19 Variant In Hawaii, Health Officials Say. Health officials say omicron is likely on the neighbor islands, not just Oahu, and every adult who is eligible for a booster should get one. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Local hospitals prepare for expected Omicron-fueled COVID case surge. With local medical facilities preparing for an influx of COVID patients, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii says it's in good shape in terms of oxygen supply, personal protective equipment and other supplies. But the association does expect to need additional health care workers. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii records 2 new coronavirus-related deaths, 961 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 866 new cases on Oahu, 21 on Hawaii Island, 58 on Maui, seven on Kauai, one on Molokai, two on Lanai and six Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Plan that reimagines industrial area near airport’s rail station approved in unanimous vote.  The Honolulu Planning Commission Wednesday approved the airport transit-oriented development plan. The plan, approved by a 9-0 vote, could result in more residential development near rail project’s Lagoon Drive station but not at the expense of current industrial tenants. Hawaii News Now.

High-ranking Navy official downplays tainted water issue, saying it’s ‘not a crisis’. Dual investigations are ongoing into the Navy’s tainted water crisis. As the Pentagon’s Inspector General probes the safety of the Navy’s Red Hill fuel tanks, new details over past spilled have emerged from an internal Navy review. Hawaii News Now.

Climate Change Will Make It Harder To Protect The Environment Around Oahu’s Next Landfill. The effects of a warming planet are also expected to make it more expensive to safeguard land and water. Civil Beat.

City Attorney Kicked Off HPD Shooting Lawsuit For Creating A Conflict Of Interest. Corporation Counsel attorney Kyle Chang was disqualified after providing conflicting arguments in the case. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Council passes glyphosate ban at county parks. The County Council on Wednesday passed a bill banning the use of Round-Up or other glyphosate-based herbicides at county parks, sending it to Mayor Mitch Roth, who is expected to sign it. West Hawaii Today.

Hospitals prep for surge: ‘Don’t let your guard down over the holidays’. Big Island hospitals are preparing for a rough winter as all signs point to an omicron-fueled COVID-19 surge within the next month. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui plastic disposal foodware ban takes effect on New Year’s Day. Banned items include plastic disposable food service containers and utensils such forks, spoons and knives, and plates, trays, bowls, cups, hinged (plate lunch) containers and straws. Maui Now. KHON2.

More out-of-state residents buying Maui homes this year. The number of Maui County homes purchased by out-of-state buyers this year nearly doubled compared with last year, according to state data. Maui Now.

Average Rate for Maui County Hotels at $531 for Nov. 2021; Occupancy at 65%. Maui County hotels led the state in November 2021 with average daily rate of $531, revenue per available room at $347 and occupancy at 65%, according to the latest Hawaiʻi Hotel Performance Report published by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i begins to see new COVID-19 cases spike. The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office announced 41 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. Garden Island.

Hawaii residents not staying home much, COVID-19 vaccinations not delivered equally, Maui promises vaccines for everybody by Labor Day, Blangiardi picks Cabinet, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii mobility map PC:UHERO

People in Hawaii have stopped staying home as much following the surge in COVID-19 cases this summer, and have started going back to restaurants and shops, new mobility data shows. Civil Beat.

UHERO mobility dashboard details can be found here.

The number of residents leaving Hawai'i doubles in 2020. 2020 has taken a toll on many across the globe, including those in the Aloha State. The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii says the state say the highest rates of population decline in the country. KITV4.

Some healthcare workers not associated with hospitals are still waiting for vaccine. Medical professionals are in group 1-A, the first group designated to get the COVID-19 vaccine. But many are still waiting for their first dose. That’s even though the state Department of Health has already started vaccinating people in group 1-B. Hawaii News Now.

This New Ad Campaign Aims To Win Over Hawaii’s COVID-19 Vaccine Skeptics. Persuading enough residents to roll up a sleeve for the vaccine for the state to achieve herd immunity is expected to be a challenge. Civil Beat.

Hawaii heiress Abigail Kawananankoa got $142,000 federal bailout loan. Her attorney Bruce Voss said the 94-year-old Kawananakoa needed the Paycheck Protection Program loan because the three-year legal battle over her $215 million fortune had drained her bank accounts. Hawaii News Now.

Plenty of ahi available for New Year’s Eve celebrations during a challenging year. There should be plenty of ahi available for New Year’s Eve at a reasonable price, according to purveyors, as a year besieged by pandemic-related challenges winds down to a close. Star-Advertiser.

King's Hawaiian Rolls not made in Hawaii, class action lawsuit filed. The company has been hit with a class action lawsuit after a New York resident claimed fraudulent marketing misleads shoppers by hiding where the products is really made. KITV4.

Saving Hawaii’s Koa Industry — And The Environment. The private sector and state are coming together to ensure an abundance of koa far into the future. Civil Beat.

Ige delays furloughs until ‘at least July 1’. Gov. David Ige said Tuesday he is delaying the implementation of furloughs for state employees through at least July 1, 2021. West Hawaii Today.

The start of state worker furloughs has been postponed, but remains on the minds of many. Federal funding has pushed back the start date of the furloughs, but they still could happen in 2021. Hawaii News Now.

HAWAII VIRUS TRACKER — Dec. 29: 76 New COVID-19 Cases. Health officials reported 76 new COVID-19 cases statewide on Tuesday, including 55 on Oahu, 10 in Maui County, seven on the Big Island and four residents who were diagnosed out of the state. There were no new fatalities reported. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Mayor-elect Rick Blangiardi’s transition team announces Cabinet selections. The longtime leader of the company that runs TheBus, a former state senator and the one-time head of the pro-development think-tank Land Use Research Foundation are among a slate of nominees to Mayor-elect Rick Blangiardi’s Cabinet that his transition team announced today. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor-Elect Blangiardi Announces Key Appointments. They include Laura Thielen for Parks and Recreation and Dean Uchida for Planning and Permitting. Civil Beat.

Blangiardi announces key cabinet appointments ahead of January inauguration. Mayor-elect Rick Blangiardi has released his list of cabinet members ahead of his inauguration next month. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell says coronavirus response was too slow. In a reflection of the city’s handling of its COVID-19 outbreak, outgoing Mayor Kirk Caldwell said he would have responded to the virus earlier and done more to properly inform the public if he had the chance. Star-Advertiser.

Essential workers traveling to Oahu now subject to mandatory COVID-19 testing. Essential workers traveling to Oahu who get exemptions to the state’s quarantine rules will now be subject to new testing requirements. The new rules were included in an emergency proclamation, approved by the governor Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Card usage is extended through Jan. 31. Those several thousand people receiving or scheduled to receive $500 debit cards from the city now have until Jan. 31 to spend the money to pay for food and other necessities in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, city officials said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

New HART CEO taking on rail at high-stakes stage for lower pay. Honolulu Rapid Rail Authority (HART) has a new CEO, Lori Kahikina, taking the helm at a crossroads for the final leg of the project. She has just one year to prove whether she can turn the troubled agency around. KHON2.

Brigham Young University to Require Free Weekly COVID Tests for On-Campus Students and Faculty. Hawaii universities have been largely distance learning due to COVID-19. However, Brigham Young University-Hawaii hopes expanded testing will put the institution on the path to reopening. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

COVID-19 exposure notification app now available to residents of Hawaii County. AlohaSafe Alert, the state of Hawaii’s official COVID-19 exposure notification app, is now available to Hawaii County residents and is expected to launch statewide next week. Tribune-Herald.

Todd, 2 political newcomers to vie for Kahele’s seat. A state representative and two political newcomers made the cut Wednesday night from a list of seven Democrats vying for Gov. David Ige’s nomination to fill the remaining two years of the state Senate seat vacated by Congressman-elect Kai Kahele. West Hawaii Today.

Waipio Valley pedestrian ban booted. It’s back to the drawing board for a bill prohibiting pedestrian access to Waipio Valley, after County Council members Wednesday raised constitutionality issues and the effect closing hiking there would have on other valleys, such as Pololu Valley in North Kohala. West Hawaii Today.

Council approves Kailua-Kona development. An agreement worked out by two council members negotiating with developers of a Kailua-Kona project was approved by the County Council last week and then sent to the mayor, despite three council members’ assurances that the public would have one more opportunity to comment at a council forum. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor to seek scaled back gatherings, other restrictions. Maui County is seeking to tighten up rules such as scaling back the number of people in gatherings and imposing other restrictions as Maui continues to see double digit positive cases daily. Maui News.

Operation Face Mask Results in 24-Hour Closure of Two Lahaina Bars. ask Force Officers from the Maui Police Department and the Department of Liquor Control conducted Operation Face Mask on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020. Maui Now.

Maui District Health Office on Vaccine Rollout: Everybody Should Get a Dose if they want it by Labor Day. Health officials on Maui are asking the public to be patient by waiting their turn in the distribution timeline, and continue health care precautions as the state carries out its vaccination plan. Maui Now.

Push to get independent doctors, staff vaccinated. Dentists and staff included in Phase 1; more doses on the way. Maui News.

Kauai

County leaving single-use plastics in 2020. Starting Friday, a policy prohibiting county funds from being used for single-use, disposable plastics will go into effect. Garden Island.

Lihu‘e post office safe from closure. On Sunday night, the U.S. Congress passed the COVID Relief Bill, which among other things approved the transition of a $10 billion loan to the U.S. Postal Service in March and into a grant with conditions. Garden Island.