Vance says Hawaii lax on Medicaid fraud enforcement, neighbor island homeless count dips, Washington man arrested for throwing rock at monk seal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Neighbor Island Homeless Count Dips, But There Are Ominous Signs. The number of people experiencing homelessness on the neighbor islands decreased slightly between 2024 and 2026, according to data released Wednesday. Over the course of six days in January, volunteers and nonprofit workers in Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi and Maui counties identified 1,863 people sleeping in shelters and transitional housing, camping in cars and tents, and living in other unsheltered conditions — a 2% dip from the last count. Civil Beat.

Vance singles out Hawaii as weak on Medicaid fraud policing. Federal officials declared a nationwide Medicaid fraud crackdown Wednesday, citing Hawaii as a state having little concern for prosecuting program theft. Vice President JD Vance cited Hawaii, where about 387,000 residents are enrolled in Medicaid under its branded Med-QUEST program, as one state operating a largely federally funded Medicaid Fraud Control Unit that isn’t effective at protecting the health insurance program funded mostly through federal taxes. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Agribusiness Development Corp. can use eminent domain for ag under new bill. The state Agribusiness Development Corporation could be given the power of eminent domain to acquire land for agricultural purposes, under Senate Bill 2159 awaiting the governor's signature. Hawaii Public Radio.

Luxury Home Tax Pitch To Fund Hawaiian Homes Flopped. Now What? The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands came away with some funds but will need to look for other revenue sources. Civil Beat.

Native Hawaiian education programs receive reprieve from federal funding cut. Federal funding for Native Hawaiian education programs will continue for at least another year after U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon vowed not to cut the Native Hawaiian Education Program, offering a temporary reprieve to organizations across Hawaii that had warned of widespread service reductions and closures. Star-Advertiser.

Will Hawaiʻi Forfeit $5 Million For Teacher Apprenticeships? State leaders say the program will improve teacher retention and recruitment by providing more mentorship and financial support to prospective educators. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council passes bill on excessive barking and nuisance pets. The Honolulu City Council has passed a bill increasing fines for nuisance animal violations, including excessive barking. First-time fines could jump to $250, with repeat offenses reaching up to $1,000. The measure now heads to the mayor for final approval. KITV4.

Honolulu Police Chief Finalists Share Their Visions For The Department. The three finalists talked about technology, ICE collaboration and transparency.All three finalists vying to be Honolulu’s next police chief say expanding the police department’s use of technology and improving transparency and trust by the community would be top priorities. Civil Beat.

Finalist sees staffing as critical to effective policing. Scott Ebner, one of three finalists seeking to serve as Honolulu’s next police chief, also was in the running for the job in 2022 and believes addressing the department’s staffing shortfall is critical to all aspects of policing on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

City bridge work has residents decrying ‘Carmageddon Kailua’.  The City and County of Honolulu on March 30 began a project to rehabilitate North Kalaheo Bridge on Kalaheo Road  and Monday closed the Kailua-bound lane of the bridge to start the next phase of the project. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Homeless count dips slightly on Big Island. Since 2022, the Hawaii County Council has earmarked more than $33 million in Homelessness and Housing Fund grants through the Office of Housing and Community Development to a variety of projects combating the problem. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Federal budget cut ends Hawaii National Guard job program for youths. The Academy will shut down due to federal budget cuts after the current class graduates on June 22, 2026. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now. Big Island Now. 

Hawai‘i Island’s Next General Plan Splits County Council. The council wants to approve the county’s next long-term guiding document before the November election brings new members on board. Civil Beat.

Maui

Maui unsheltered homeless jumps 40% as overall numbers remain flat, new count shows. Unsheltered homelessness on Maui climbed 40% while overall numbers remained essentially flat, according to results from the 2026 Homeless Point in Time Count released Wednesday. Maui Now.

Maui Council to weigh $1.6 billion budget at Friday meeting. The Maui County Council will take up a $1.6 billion budget Friday morning, following a committee recommendation to trim Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposal by reducing capital improvement projects while still increasing funding for day-to-day operations. Maui Now. Maui News.

Bobby Pahia files for Maui County Council with four generations of family by his side​. Family business owner and agriculture leader Bobby Pahia officially filed his nomination papers for the Maui County Council on Monday, marking the occasion with a show of family unity spanning four generations. Maui Now.

Federal agents arrest visitor accused of throwing rock at Hawaiian monk seal. A 38-year old Washington man is facing federal criminal charges for allegedly stalking an endangered Hawaiian monk seal known as Lani and hurling a large rock at its head in the nearshore waters off Lahaina on May 5. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Maui News.  KHON2.  Hawaii News Now. 

Kauai

Homelessness report released. Kauai's report showed total homelessness, sheltered and unsheltered, decreased by 1 percent, from 523 in 2024 to 516 in 2026. Unsheltered homelessness decreased by 5 percent, from 464 in 2024 to 440 in 2026, and sheltered homelessness increased by 28 percent, from 59 in 2024 to 76 in 2026. Garden Island.

New Kauaʻi ordinance makes more land owners eligible for agriculture tax dedication. The ordinance is intended to support the long-term sustainability of agriculture on Kaua‘i by addressing challenges faced by agricultural property owners and operators when multiple uses occur on dedicated agricultural parcels, according to a county news release. Kauai Now.

Free breakfast and lunch available this summer at 3 Kauaʻi public schools. As part of a statewide effort to ensure students have continued access to nutritious food while school is out, three public schools on Kauaʻi will provide free summer meals for children beginning June 9 , the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education announced. Kauai Now.

Hawaii sticks with mail-in voting despite Trump order, Honolulu homeless respite centers could close, Kauai mayor files for Lieutenant governor, Maui mayor files for reelection, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii sticks with its mail-in voting system despite Trump’s order. Hawaii officials say they plan to follow state law requiring mail-in voting this year while lawsuits proceed over President Donald Trump’s executive order that critics say would give the federal government unprecedented control over U.S. elections despite the Constitution’s guarantee that Congress and each state hold that authority. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers pave way for regular Young Brothers rate hikes. Interisland cargo rates at Hawaii’s regulated monopoly service provider Young Brothers Ltd. could be going up in July after a 26% hike approved in November. Star-Advertiser.

Will Hawaiʻi Forfeit $5 Million For Teacher Apprenticeships? State leaders say the program will improve teacher retention and recruitment by providing more mentorship and financial support to prospective educators. Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami officially files to run for lieutenant governor of Hawaiʻi. Kaua’i Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami officially filed candidacy papers on Tuesday to run for lieutenant governor in Hawaiʻi’s 2026 primary election, becoming one of the first major island leaders to formally enter the statewide race. Kauai Now.

Oahu

Lambert vows to target equipment upgrades, gun violence. Mike Keoni Lambert, 46, the lone local finalist vying to serve as the next chief of the Honolulu Police Department is a 22-year HPD veteran who wants to upgrade equipment and facilities, target gun violence and develop officers of every rank and role. Star-Advertiser.

Respite centers for sick, injured homeless could close after lawmakers cut funding. Without alternatives, 62 people at the Aala Respite Center in Chinatown and 24 people receiving care at the Leahi Respite Center in Kaimuku could be back on the streets on July 1, when the new fiscal year begins. Hawaii News Now.

‘Dire Consequences’: Honolulu Races To Save Flood Zone Funds. The plan is a long time coming but gained momentum in the aftermath of this spring’s devastating Kona low storms. Civil Beat.

Oʻahu food systems plan invites public comment. Oʻahu is reenvisioning its food systems with a new islandwide plan. It contains more than 70 action items that the City and County of Honolulu can take over the next five years to promote nutrition, sustainability, local sourcing and resilience in food production. Hawaii Public Radio.

Manoa pool set to reopen following months of repairs. The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation said the Harry Mamizuka Swimming Complex at Manoa Valley District Park will reopen on Monday, May 18. Hawaii News Now.

Doctor Accused Of Fertility Fraud. In Hawaiʻi, No Law Prevents It.  William McKenzie — a popular and renowned gynecologist on Oʻahu’s  North Shore — was sued in 2019 after genetic testing showed he used his own sperm in a insemination procedure, according to court documents. Civil Beat.

Swift acquittal returned in Chinatown shooting trial. After just 25 minutes of deliberation Monday afternoon, an Oahu Circuit Court jury acquitted a 62-year-old man of murder and other charges in connection with a 2022 Chinatown shooting that killed a 24-year-old woman who was five months pregnant. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Kona CDP committee weighs in on STRVs measure. The Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee approved a document authored by Chair John Pelletier criticizing aspects of Bill 147 — a Hawaii County Council measure aiming to redefine hosted and unhosted short-term vacation rentals, establish working standards and set punitive fines, and expand the list of zoning areas where these rentals are allowed to operate. Tribune-Herald.

Public invited to attend board meeting for update on cleanup efforts in Former Waikōloa Maneuver Area. The next Restoration Advisory Board meeting for Waikōloa Maneuver Area Formerly Used Defense Site will take place on Thursday, May 14, in Waimea. Big Island Now.

Free summer meals for keiki offered at 19 schools. The state Department of Education announced that 19 Hawaii Island schools will offer free summer meals to children 18 and younger, starting June 9 through July 17. Tribune--Herald.

Maui

‘Not Pau Yet’: Bissen files for mayoral re-election, saying steady leadership is crucial. Surrounded by community supporters, labor leaders and his grandsons, Mayor Richard Bissen officially filed nomination papers Monday morning to seek re-election as mayor of Maui County. Maui Now.

Key Maui Council incumbents officially commit to race for re-election. Two incumbents — West Maui Council Member Tamara Paltin and East Maui Council Member Shane Sinenci — have officially committed to campaigns for re-election while others haven’t jumped in officially, yet. Maui Now.

Maui County real property tax sale set for May 19. The Maui County Department of Finance is planning to auction off properties that have been delinquent on their taxes for three or more years and have received their final notice of a sale. Maui News.

Pā‘ia Mantokuji given another year to find a fix for erosion threatening Buddhist temple, nearby graves. Sandbags were installed in 2021 as an emergency measure, and the state has allowed them to stay in place for years because of the critical level of erosion. On Friday, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources approved another one-year extension for the sandbags while the mission works on a long-term plan that could include returning sand to the beach or building an artificial reef offshore. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i woman sentenced after pleading guilty to defrauding coronavirus assistance program. Kaiaulani C. Kaiawe, 47, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft on Oct. 9, 2025, after fraudulently obtaining $126,026.10 through the program in 2021. Kauai Now.

Remote West Kaua‘i Beach Park Reopens. Polihale State Park’s access road has been cleared and resurfaced after a two-month closure. A 5-mile-long dirt access road to Kaua‘i’s Polihale State Park has reopened after two months, just in time for the start of summer and Memorial Day weekend. Civil Beat.

Gas prices near record highs, state homeless contractor's insider payments, Hawaiian Electric's earnings rise, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State Homeless Housing Contractor Failed To Report Insider Payments. HomeAid Hawaiʻi did not fully disclose payments made to the CEO’s spouse in federal tax returns. HomeAid Hawaiʻi, which has been awarded the bulk of the no-bid state contracts to build tiny houses for the homeless under an emergency proclamation from the governor, went from having $235,338 in revenue in 2022 to nearly $142 million in 2024. Civil Beat.

Hawaii gas prices near record highs as experts warn global oil tensions could raise costs even more. According to AAA Hawaii, the statewide average for regular gas is now $5.65 per gallon. That is just two cents below the all time statewide record set last month and more than a dollar higher than this time last year. KITV4.

Hawaiian Electric parent boosts profit despite storm costs. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. said in a financial report released Friday that it earned $30 million in the first three months of this year, up from $27 million in the same period last year. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers back bill to speed seaglider plans in Hawaii. Hawaii lawmakers have voted to streamline the path for an experimental seaglider some say could revolutionize interisland travel, though some doubt it would be safe for people and marine life. The REGENT Seaglider passenger craft has not been tested in the air yet, but supporters went to the Legislature to streamline its route to approval. Hawaii News Now.

Here are 7 bills that defined the legislative session. State lawmakers passed over 250 bills this legislative session. That’s a lot to keep track of, so HPR has narrowed down a list of some key legislative measures. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Mike Formby to leave Honolulu city managing director position. City Managing Director Michael Formby will leave his position at the end of May to become chief executive officer of Hawaii-based maritime firm Pacific Marine &Supply Co., Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced Monday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Ex-SFPD assistant chief wants to modernize HPD operations. David S. Lazar, 55, is a 33-year veteran of the San Francisco Police Department who wants to modernize crimefighting, expand recruitment and strengthen ties with the community. Star-Advertiser.

Wahiawa Dam improvements underway for safety upgrades. In response to the severe weather that swept through Hawaiʻi in March, renovations are now underway at an Oʻahu dam to help ensure safety for its surrounding communities and environment. KHON2. KITV4.

Honolulu Homeowners Turn To Goats, Sheep To Mow Yard Ahead Of Fire Season. Flocks of livestock are not a typical city sight. But with wildfire season looming, they’re becoming an increasingly attractive prevention measure.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

County halts plan to remove 37 trees from Honoka‘a park. Hawaii County has paused plans to remove 37 trees in the Honoka‘a Sports Complex following pushback from the community. Tribune-Herald.

Affordable housing project in Waikoloa Village is dedicated. Na Hale Makoa, a 140-unit affordable workforce rental housing community in Waikoloa Village, fills the strong demand for affordable housing for those working in the Waikoloa area, according to a Hawaii County press release. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County Issues Request for Proposals for West Hawaiʻi Cot Sleeping Program. The proposal is part of ongoing efforts to expand emergency shelter capacity and respond to community needs related to homelessness. Big Island Now.

Maui

DOH reports detection of PFAS in Haleakala water system. The Hawaii Department of Health says Perfluorobutanoic acid — a form of PFAS — has been detected in water samples collected from the Haleakala National Park water system on Maui. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Maui News.

Maui wildfire survivors study in jeopardy after bill fails. State funding for an ongoing study of Maui wildfire survivors evaporated after a Hawaii legislative bill failed to make it through conference committee this month. Star-Advertiser.

New $2M Fund Covers Neighbor Island Medical Flights. State-funded flights to Honolulu medical appointments aim to stop rural residents on Molokaʻi and beyond from putting off routine health care. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Donkey Beach access, Keālia Kai restroom to close for maintenance. The Kauaʻi Department of Parks and Recreation announced that the Keālia Kai parking lot restroom and access to Donkey Beach will be temporarily closed from May 11 – 15 for maintenance work. Kauai Now.

Kauai Filipino Chamber of Commerce distributes scholarships. The Kauai Filipino Chamber of Commerce Foundation Scholarship Committee distributed a total of $8,500 in scholarships on May 7.  The scholarships were shared between seven students — one from Kapaa High School, two from Kauai High School, and four from Waimea High School — who will be graduating with their respective schools on May 22. Garden Island.

Cruise ships may prevail in fight to avoid paying for tourist impact, Legislature protects income tax cuts, resists ICE crackdown in bills sent to governor at sine die, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Effort To Get Cruise Ships On Board With Green Fee Is Sputtering. Some legislators worry the state will lose its case to uphold cruise ship payments and with it millions in environmental funding. That leaves the state in an all-or-nothing court battle to secure the approximately $26 million in annual cruise ship payments included in the  original green fee law. Civil Beat.

HTA’s tourism management plan targets several islands with shuttle proposal. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is rolling out a new statewide tourism management strategy aimed at addressing one of residents’ biggest complaints — traffic and overcrowding at tourism hot spots. KHON2.

Tax cuts preserved, immigration enforcement limited as Legislature sends final bills to Green. Hawaii taxpayers — except for the highest income earners — will continue to benefit from historic tax breaks after legislators wrapped up their 60-day session by increasing the state’s $1.6 billion “rainy day fund” by $50 million and adding new limits on county and state law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KITV4. 

With Immigrant Protection Bills, Hawaiʻi Joins States Resisting ICE Crackdown. While fears of retaliation blocked similar bills last year, reaction to national events and realities of local enforcement eased passage of immigrant legislation in 2026. Civil Beat.

Hawaii shelters inadequate against hurricanes. With a potential El Nino cycle increasing hurricane threats to the Hawaiian Islands, state and county officials warn that most existing shelters are insufficient to protect residents beyond a Category 1 storm. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii grads face uncertain job market. With University of Hawaii graduations continuing through Saturday, students preparing for life after college are weighing a job market shaped by competition, cost of living, artificial intelligence and the growing expectation that a degree alone may not be enough. Star-Advertiser.

From trucking to technocrat: How did former Maui official Keith Regan land in state’s second-highest post? Keith Regan has held several high-level leadership positions, first in Arakawa’s administration during his three terms as Maui County mayor and later in state government on Oʻahu. Maui Now.

Oahu

Council, mayor clash over proposed $41M emergency account. A dispute is emerging between the Honolulu City Council and Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration over a proposed provisional account intended to help fund future city emergencies following two Kona-low storms that caused more than $100 million in damage to city operations and properties. Star-Advertiser.

Detained Immigrants Could Wait 19 Months For Their Day In Honolulu Court. Asylum hearings are being curtailed, and more removal orders issued as DHS looks to reduce backlog of cases. Civil Beat.

‘Renovation Aloha’ Hosts Fined For Illegal Airbnbs In Latest Misstep. The home flippers behind the hit HGTV show “Renovation Aloha” now owe $40,000 to the city of Honolulu for operating two illegal short-term rentals through the rental site Airbnb. Civil Beat.

Kona-low recovery: ‘People are still struggling out there’.  For days after flood­waters tore through Otake Camp on Oahu’s North Shore, 77‑year‑old Grace Visaya slept in her car. Star-Advertiser.

Care home operator pleads no contest to endangerment of patient’s welfare. Ederlina U. Manzano, 64, an Oahu care home operator has pleaded no contest to criminal endangering the welfare of an incompetent person, in this case an 87-year-old woman who was under her care. Star-Advertiser.

Crews work to repair 20-inch water main break in Waimanalo. The Board of Water Supply reported a water main break on Hihimanu Street between Makulama Street and Ahiki Street. BWS officials are asking some Waimanalo residents to continue conserving water as crews work to repair a 20-inch main after discovering a second leak. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

‘It’s gonna be very devastating’: Five Hawaii Island early childhood education sites to close. The Mountain View Ka Pa‘alana Preschool -- part of a network of early childhood education programs across the state run by the nonprofit Partners in Development Foundation — is slated to close at the end of this school year, along with 16 of its other Ka Pa‘alana, Tutu and Me and other early childhood education programs, due to lack of federal funding. Tribune-Herald.

County approval sought for festival that has irritated neighbors. The Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission on Thursday will decide the fate of the “Falls on Fire” Festival — a controversial “Burning Man”-inspired gathering in Papaikou hosted by Pennsylvania video game executive Andrew Tepper. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo tsunami clock memorial to be moved? The Hilo tsunami clock — a landmark along Kamehameha Avenue at the edge of the Grand Naniloa Golf Course — might find itself with new digs as part of the Waiakea Peninsula revitalization. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Council shakeup: Chair Lee won’t seek re-election to Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū seat. Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee will not seek re-election this year. Instead, the veteran council member will support the candidacy of Marvin Moniz, a longtime state Department of Transportation airports manager, to succeed her in the Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū residency seat. Maui Now.

84 affordable senior homes proposed for historic Wailuku Mission grounds. A plan to build 84 affordable rental homes for low-income seniors on one of central Wailuku’s most historically significant properties is now open for public comment through June 8. Maui Now.

Kula resident Brad Sultzer and his wife Donna are dealing with close to $100,000 in storm damage. The Kona Low storm turned a stream into a raging river that ripped through their Polipoli Road property, along with neighboring homes and the road itself. Hawaii Public Radio

Mental health needs remain key to wildfire recovery. Survivors of the Maui wildfires still face profound emotional and psychological challenges nearly three years after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century killed more than 100 people, destroyed more than 2,200 structures and displaced an estimated 10,000 residents. Star-Advertiser.

Homeowners could get up to $100K with Molokaʻi deed restriction pilot program. A Maui County pilot program on Moloka’i is offering homeowners up to $100,000 in exchange for deed restrictions on their property. The sale of the home would be restricted for 25 years under the program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County’s DMV and Real Property offices to close for training. The Division of Motor Vehicles and the Real Property Assessment and Collections Section will be closed on Wednesday, May 13, to accommodate staff training. Kauai Now.

Lawmakers dump pet projects into green fee tourist tax bucket, Education Secretary preserves Native Hawaiian funding another year, 40 shark fins seized from private jet out of Hawaii, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

How will Hawaiʻi spend The Green Fee? Some projects are 'head scratchers'. The governorʻs Green Fee Advisory Council recommended a series of projects at the start of the session for projects in three areas: protecting natural resources, increasing climate resiliency, and sustainable tourism. While some of the final projects remained the same, like millions of dollars for coral reef and ahupuaʻa restoration, wildfire reduction and retrofitting homes to withstand hurricanes, some projects didn’t seem clearly related to the three buckets written in the law. Hawaii Public Radio.

Department of Education Secretary agrees to continue funding for Native Hawaiian programs for at least another year. U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon agreed to keep Native Hawaiian programs fully funded for at least another year on Thursday, following a request Senator Brian Schatz made to the department to avoid cuts. KITV4.

Dozens of shark fins seized on private jet out of Hawaii. Authorities seized 40 suspected shark fins from a private jet that departed from Hawaii in February. Officers from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife intercepted the plane when it landed in California. Hawaii News Now.

New UHERO report shows persistent housing crisis. The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization on Thursday released the 2026 Hawaii Housing Factbook, which shows that despite modest improvements in affordability, Hawaii’s housing market remains deeply out of reach for many local families. The annual report showed that statewide home prices largely leveled off in 2025 after years of rapid increases. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

State jobless rate slips back to second lowest in country. South Dakota took over the top spot in March after its seasonally adjusted rate dipped by one-tenth of a point to 2.3% while Hawaii held at 2.4%, according to data released Wednesday from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi State Legislature passes Artificial Intelligence safety act. The Hawaiʻi State Legislature on Wednesday passed the Artificial Intelligence Disclosure and Safety Act that establishes some of the nation’s first consumer protections and transparency requirements for conversational artificial intelligence services, particularly for minors and individuals seeking mental health or crisis support. Kauai Now.

Solar industry rallies to save tax break. Members of the Hawaii Solar Energy Association urged lawmakers to not give final passage to Senate Bill 3125, which would limit and phase out state income tax credits for consumers and businesses installing rooftop solar systems. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers establish annual raises for Hawaiʻi teachers. State lawmakers are guaranteeing annual raises for public and charter school teachers that can be negotiated into their collective bargaining agreements. Hawaii Public Radio.

Fresh lessons found in Hawaiʻi public schools. Students are planting, harvesting and enjoying produce grown in their own school gardens at Waipahu High and Leilehua High on O‘ahu and Hāna High and Elementary on Maui.  KHON2. KITV4.

State begins surveying cemeteries for cleanup and restoration. The state Department of Accounting and General Services  is embarking on an effort to survey and restore eight of Hawaiʻi’s cemeteries. The newly created Cemetery Office will be using drones to capture aerial images of the cemeteries to survey their current state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Life and legacy of Colleen Hanabusa honored at Hawaii State Capitol. A public memorial on Thursday honored the life and service of longtime Hawaii politician and attorney Colleen Hanabusa. Hanabusa died March 6. She was 74. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Oahu

‘Slush Fund’? Honolulu Council Wants Control Of $41 Million. The provisional account would be used for covering disaster relief and routine operations. Council Chair Tommy Waters and Budget Chair Val Okimoto are proposing the formation of a new fund through which the city administration would have to ask the council’s permission to spend money.  Civil Beat.

Rail planners advance bills for unused ag lands in Kapolei. The Honolulu Planning Commission approved Wednesday a final piece of a recent package of land-use measures tied to the so-called East Kapolei Neighborhood Transit-Oriented Development Plan. Star-Advertiser.

Power Has Been Out In These Oʻahu Classrooms For Months. A building at Kalāheo High School has faced a power outage since the fall. Families are advocating for more funding to repair the school’s electrical system. Civil Beat.

3 homebuyers close under new state mortgage program. The first three homeowners to close on mortgages through Hawaii’s new Hale Kamaaina Mortgage Program were recognized Thursday by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp., which officials call an early milestone for a state effort aimed at making homeownership more attainable amid high housing costs and elevated interest rates. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Legislature OKs demolition funds for Country Club. The state’s executive supplemental budget transmitted Wednesday to Gov. Josh Green contains $14 million in capital improvement project funds to demolish the former Country Club Condominium Hotel building in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Waianuenue Avenue roadwork scheduled. The Hawaii County Department of Public Works will be conducting pavement overlay work on Waianuenue Avenue in front of the Hilo Benioff Medical Center on Monday and Tuesday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Investigation into rock thrown at monk seal and breaches of seal resting areas. The Department of Land and Natural Resources is investigating social media postings on Instagram that appear to show an adult male throwing an object toward a monk seal while it was swimming in the water off the Lahaina shoreline. Maui Now. Maui News.  KHON2.  Hawaii News Now. 

Makawao Forest Reserve’s first management plan balances needed conservation, popular recreation. On the northwestern slopes of Haleakalā, the Makawao Forest Reserve was created in 1908 at the urging of Hawaiʻi’s first territorial forester Ralph Hosmer for the primary purpose of protecting freshwater resources to meet the increasing demand from the growing population and agricultural industries on Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Beginner Farmers Need Look No Further Than West Kauaʻi. Few instructional opportunities exist for Kaua‘i residents to get into commercial farming, and this program connects participants to a ready market.  Civil Beat.

County of Kauai advances Wildfire Home Assessment Program. The County of Kauai, in partnership with the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, continues to advance a Wildfire Home Assessment Program designed to help residents reduce wildfire risk and strengthen community resilience. The program is scheduled to launch on Aug. 1.  Garden Island.

Legislators advance bills limiting corporate money in elections, allowing automatic shipping rate hikes, paying UH student athletes; military members lose Red Hill case, Honolulu narrows police chief candidate pool to 3 finalists, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Legislators Advance Bill To Limit Corporate Money In Hawaiʻi Elections. The legislation would make Hawaiʻi one of the first states to sidestep the Citizens United U.S. Supreme Court case that allows unlimited corporate spending in local elections. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Shipping rate-hike bill advances to governor. Young Brothers, LLC asked for the automatic increases of up to 5% a year despite receiving a nearly 26% increase last year. Hawaii News Now.

Isle nonprofits face mounting challenges, new report finds. As Hawaii lawmakers finalize state budget priorities and uncertainty looms over federal funding, a new statewide report is raising concerns about the stability of the nonprofit sector, which employs more than 1 in 10 workers and plays a critical role in supporting communities across the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Legislature passes package of health-related bills to strengthen access, care statewide. The Hawaiʻi State Legislature passed a broad package of health-related measures that expand care for kūpuna, mental health access, cancer screening, and long-term care planning. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi expected to regulate AI being used by children. Hawaiʻi will likely put protections in place for children using artificial intelligence. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill to help UH recruit student-athletes set to become law. Hawaiʻi is set to establish “name, image and likeness” rules to recruit and retain student-athletes at the University of Hawaiʻi. Last week,state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 3263, which would require UH to create its own NIL rules. It also agreed to send $2.5 million from the state's general funds to the university system to pay student-athletes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Attention Divers! Hawaiʻi’s Reefs Need Your Help After Destructive Storms. Early reports support fears of widespread damage, but without more monitoring the picture remains incomplete. Officials are calling on more volunteer divers from across the islands to help assess Hawaiʻi’s reefs once it’s safe by posting their photos and reports to the Eyes of the Reef Hawaiʻi website. Civil Beat.

Oahu

3 Finalists Announced For Honolulu Police Chief. The finalists include the director of the Hawai‘i Department of Law Enforcement, a police chief in Georgia and a retired assistant chief in San Francisco. Civil Beat. KHON2.  KITV4. Hawaii News Now.  Star-Advertiser.

Military members lose Red Hill case against the federal government. Despite calling it an “overly harsh and unjust outcome,” a federal judge ruled against military service members affected by the Red Hill fuel crisis and dismissed their case against the government Tuesday — a decision attorneys for the plaintiffs say they are ready to take to the Supreme Court. Star-Advertiser.

Health officials see fewer pathogens in follow-up tests of Kona-low mud samples. The results show a “general decrease” in concentrations of environmental pathogens associated with the storms compared with results from about a month ago, Hawaii Department of Health officials said in a news release. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu housing market lagged in April. The Honolulu Board of Realtors on Wednesday published data showing decreases under 5%, which were relatively small but still represented the first month this year where there were negative figures across sale volume and prices for single-family homes and condominiums. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

A boon for Banyan Drive: State Legislature passes redevelopment bill. A Banyan Drive redevelopment bill is heading to Gov. Josh Green’s desk for his signature. Senate Bill 2001 was affirmed by a unanimous final Senate floor vote of 25-0 Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

Commission OK’s rezoning plan for Pahoa town. The Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a legislation package that would rezone parts of downtown Pahoa. These bills would change zoning designations for a stretch of mainstreet Pahoa from Village Commercial and Single-Family Residential to a new category — Downtown Pahoa Commercial — and codify standards for the new district’s permitted land uses, building heights and architectural density. Tribune-Herald.

State to remove passing zone on Daniel K. Inouye Hwy. after deadly crash. HDOT Director Ed Sniffen said crews will remove the passing zone at mile marker 26 on the cross-island highway known as Saddle Road. KHON2.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi County Expands Kona Low Assistance Centers. Another assistance center will open at the Nā‘ālehu Public Library from May 26th through June 12th. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Island Seed Bank helps build climate resilience. Containing mostly native plants and some food crops, the Hawaii Island Seed Bank was created to help preserve and protect the island’s native species. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Schatz congratulates Maui families awarded with federal funding to buy first home; Visits ʻĪao and Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art. US Sen. Brian Schatz conducted site visits on the Valley Isle on Wednesday, focus on the progress of recovery efforts on Maui, following the 2023 wildfires and recent Kona Low storms in March of this year.  Maui Now.

Despite A Death And Damage, Maui Stalls On Chronic Kīhei Flooding. Residents remain frustrated by the county’s lack of progress in addressing the decades-long problem facing the burgeoning South Maui town.  Civil Beat.

First neighbor island kauhale is changing lives on Maui. Six months after the largest kauhale in the state opened, residents are finding more than housing at Kīpūola Kauhale on Maui. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County advances Wildfire Home Assessment Program. Kaua‘i County, in partnership with Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization, continues to advance a Wildfire Home Assessment Program to help residents reduce wildfire risk and strengthen community resilience. The program is scheduled to launch Aug. 1. Kauai Now.

Aging fair draws a crowd. More than 200 people surged through the doors of the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall on Wednesday when organizers opened the Kauai Senior Resource and Disabilities Fair. Garden Island.

Dozens of discarded needles scattered on Kauai shore discovered by Kauai comedian. What started as a normal walk along a Kapa'a shoreline Monday evening quickly turned into something much more alarming for local Kaua'i comedian Zavier Cummings. KITV4.

Young Brothers owes state $26M in past-due wharfage fees, state may sock $50M into rainy day fund, 'Peter Boy' lawsuit drags on, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Young Brothers Held On To $26M In State Money To Cover Its Costs. Hawaiʻi allowed the shipping company to keep the money while awaiting a rate increase but now wants millions more in penalties and interest. Interisland shipper Young Brothers diverted more than $26 million in wharfage fees it was supposed to remit to the state in 2024 and 2025 and instead used the money to help cover its own operating expenses, according to the company and state officials. Civil Beat.

$50M deposit proposed for Hawaii’s state ‘rainy day’ fund. Representatives of House and Senate committees overseeing state finances recently agreed to deposit $50 million into the state’s Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund, also known as the “rainy day” fund. Star-Advertiser.

Bill goes to vote to release $55M in overdue Public Land Trust funds for Native Hawaiians. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is supporting a measure approved by a state legislative conference committee that would release $55 million in Public Land Trust funds currently withheld under an annual payment cap. Kauai Now. KHON2. 

DHHL to hold public meetings on statewide geothermal energy exploration. Agency plans to explore 12 potential sites statewide. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will hold a series of public meetings this summer on plans to explore geothermal energy statewide. Hawaii News Now.

Here's the few culture and arts measures that made it through the Legislature. As Hawaiʻi lawmakers wrap up the legislative session, few measures related to culture and arts have made it through. Hawaii Public Radio.

Chief Justice Devens succeeds Recktenwald, vows to uphold rule of law. Associate Justice Vladimir P. Devens was sworn in as Chief Justice on Tuesday, May 5, officially becoming Hawaii’s administrative head of the State Judiciary, succeeding former Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald. KHON2.

Cost of travel between Hawaiian islands is rising with surging fuel prices. Fuel costs have nearly doubled over the past few months forcing Mokulele Airlines to raise ticket prices for all Hawaii routes. Prices are going up by $10 across the board, but that's on top of already high airfare, averaging about $250 roundtrip. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

One Of Hawaiʻi’s Most Lucrative Crops Might Surprise You. Millions of pounds of Hawaiʻi-grown basil are exported to Canada and the U.S. mainland. The herb is now more profitable than some of the state’s most iconic crops. Hawaiʻi’s basil industry is bigger than it has ever been, three times larger than the local banana and papaya industries combined. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu proposal to allow mayor to choose police chief tabled temporarily. The Honolulu Charter Commission wants to work out the kinks in a proposal to give the mayor more ability to hire and fire the City and County of Honolulu’s chief of police. Hawaii Public Radio.

City’s Economic Revitalization Office faces defunding. A city agency tasked with leading Oahu’s economic development appears to be closer to having its funding cut and a majority of its positions slashed by the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Children Play At Their Own Risk In This Mililani Park. Sharp rusted holes and a broken railing aren’t typical playground features. But they’re the norm at the playground in Mililani’s Makaʻunulau Community Park, also known as 16 Acres, where for an unknown period of time keiki have played over the rusted holes and around a gap in the railing. Civil Beat.

Former Hawaiian Properties manager indicted for allegedly embezzling nearly $650K. On March 27, an Oahu Grand Jury indicted Russell Doane, 66, for allegedly using his position as a property manager at Hawaiian Properties to embezzle $647,061.09 from several homeowner associations. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

‘Peter Boy’ lawsuit drags on: ‘What the state did was terrible. The liability is obvious’. Eight years after filing a wrongful-death lawsuit, the siblings of Peter Kema Jr., also known as “Peter Boy,” are still trying to hold the state accountable for its role in the death of their brother, who was tortured and killed by their father in 1997. Tribune-Herald.

Agitated testifier disrupts County Council vote on Kapoho land. An irate testifier interrupted a Hawaii County Council meeting Tuesday while its members were preparing to vote on a resolution calling for the acquisition of nearly 2,000 acres of coastal land in Kapoho. Tribune-Herald.

Episode 46 lava fountains end after 9 hours in Halemaumau crater. Lava fountains in Halemaumau crater ended at 5:22 p.m. Tuesday, bringing Episode 46 of the on-again, off-again Kilauea volcano eruption to a close. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Richard Henderson, businessman, GOP senator, dies. Richard “Scotchy” Henderson, a longtime business leader and former Republican state senator from Hilo, died April 25. He was 97. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Hawaiʻi Balks At Funding Maui Fire Victim Health Study. University of Hawai‘i researchers are scrambling to plug a $1.5 million gap to continue studying the long-term health and social effects of the 2023 Maui fires after state lawmakers quietly dropped a bill to fund it last week. Civil Beat.

Workshop set for May 7 on historic district hurdles for Lahaina commercial properties. A free workshop focused on the unique challenges of rebuilding within Lahaina’s historic districts is set for 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Morgado Hall. Maui Now.

DPW revises hours for nighttime closure on section of County roadway in Kaupō. To accommodate area motorists, County of Maui Department of Public Works is revising the closure on a section of Piʻilani Highway in Kaupō to instead be from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. May 5 through May 8, 2026, for repairs project roadwork. Maui Now.

Kelly King to run for Maui County Council. Kelly King has announced her candidacy for Maui County Council, hoping to represent the South Maui seat she previously held for six years. Maui News.

Kauai

Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s new mobile truck offers lifeline on Kauaʻi’s remote North Shore. On the far North Shore of Kauaʻi — where winding roads, distance and even a passing storm can cut off access to basic necessities — a refrigerated box truck filled with fresh food is quietly becoming a lifeline. Kauai Now.

Todd Ozaki files papers for County Council. Todd R. Ozaki filed his nomination papers for the Kauai County Council on May 1. Working in the Mayor’s Office, Ozaki serves on the Finance and Budget team and oversees the county’s Capital Improvements Program, assisting in moving projects from planning through completion. Garden Island.