HART committee seeks to expand rail to Ala Moana Center, OHA reconsiders Apo after public outcry, Volpe tapped for Big Island fire chief, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New Plan Aims To Extend Honolulu Rail Line For An Extra $4 Billion. A subcommittee of HART tentatively endorses extending the Skyline system to Ala Moana Center and to Ka Makani Aliʻi shopping center in Kapolei. The new report by the subcommittee of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board mentions a half-dozen ways the city might raise the billions of dollars needed to build the rail extensions. Civil Beat.

OHA postpones CEO choice after public outcry. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs had voted 5-to-4 on Wednesday to select Todd Apo but by Thursday they were not so sure. Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs declined to move forward on Todd Apo’s nomination as the agency’s next CEO after hearing more than two hours of testimony from the public on Thursday, most of it in opposition to Apo. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2. 

Prison director wants mentally ill suspects diverted from jail. Prison officials and lawmakers say millions of taxpayer dollars are being spent incarcerating people who need mental health care instead.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Green Fee program seeks new ideas before Nov. 1 deadline. More than a $100 million was generated by the additional transient accommodations tax but is limited to being spent on three different areas: environmental stewardship, climate and hazard resilience and sustainable tourism. KITV4.

State jobless rate hits 2-year high of 2.8%. The state’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate rose in September for the sixth time this year and hit 2.8% — up from 2.7% in August and up from 2.2% in January, according to data released Monday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ex-Army official charged in federal bribery case. A 49-year-old ex-U.S. Army official is scheduled to make his initial appearance after he was accused by federal prosecutors of taking $1.25 million in bribes over five years to steer contracts to companies from the military’s Hawaii-­Pacific Innovation Campus. Star-Advertiser.

10-tower redevelopment project takes shape in Kalihi. In about 2-1/2 years, the initial phase of a more than $1 billion plan to replace the 73-year-old Mayor Wright Homes complex in Kalihi-Palama with eight times as many new homes in a high-rise setting featuring more amenities should be done. Star-Advertiser. Aloha State Daily. KITV4. 

HPD seizes more than $21,000, loaded gun in Wahiawa gambling raid. Officers took 36 gambling machines, $21,639 in cash, illegal drugs and a loaded firearm from an illegal gambling operation in Wahiawa. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island’s Next Fire Chief Is Daniel Volpe. The fire commission voted 5-1 to hire the chief after receiving more than 30 applications. Volpe, who stepped in as interim chief in January, has served in the department for over 20 years as a firefighter, fire medical specialist, battalion chief and deputy chief.  Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now. 

Rezoning decision about land for controversial Waikōloa Village development postponed until 2027. A Hawaiʻi County Council bill that would have rezoned a parcel of land in Waikōloa Village to allow for the development of an affordable home project with 400 apartments and 300 single-family homes has been postponed until July of 2027. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Council committee questions temporary site plan for people living in vehicles. The Maui County Council is scheduled to take a final vote Friday on a bill that would let the county open a temporary site for people living in their vehicles, and officials hope to begin relocating people from Pūlehu Road as early as next week. Maui Now.

Maui wastewater overflow causes park closure, stench in Kihei. A wastewater spill in Kihei flooded parts of Kalama Park and the fire station parking lot on Thursday, Oct. 22. KHON2.

ʻAlalā reach milestones on Maui: Released Hawaiian crows show encouraging signs of recovery. Nearly two years after release into the forests of Haleakalā, five ʻalalā (Hawaiian crows) continue making their way in the wild and demonstrating encouraging natural behaviors. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Police Department launching automated license plate readers. Kauaʻi Police Chief Rudy Tai said data collected by this technology "will be restricted to authorized KPD personnel and governed by departmental policies and applicable laws.” Kauai Now.

Federal defense agency grants $1.3 million to improve Kekaha-Waimea water system on Kauaʻi. The water system is critical infrastructure for the U.S. Navyʻs Pacific Missile Range Facility that relies on it for its own operations and workforce. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Dead Pigs, Stripped Cars: Kauaʻi’s Scary Public Housing Conditions. Kawailehua residents say they’re tired of the Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority ignoring their complaints and are organizing to improve the situation. Civil Beat.

Conservation group working to clear Kauai storm damage.  Kupu, a Honolulu nonprofit, has been working with the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Kauai County, sending crews with chainsaws and other tools into the wilderness to clear debris and reopen trails, as well as look for potential hazards that could pose future dangers — such as invasive grasses that fuel wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

Vegas leaders offer Hawaii gambling tips, Todd Apo named OHA CEO, scary candy prices for Halloween, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Las Vegas leaders offer expertise as Hawaii weighs gambling legalization. That topic was one of the many as leaders from the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce hosted a business exchange summit in Waikiki. The goal – share insight about the “fun economy” – sports, tourism, entertainment and gaming – with their counterparts here. KHON2.

Looks Like OHA Has A New CEO. A vote finalizing Todd Apo’s appointment to head the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is expected Thursday. Todd Apo is the top pick to be the next chief executive for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs following a 5-to-4 vote by the office’s Board of Trustees on Wednesday afternoon. Civil Beat. KITV4.

Alaska Air Group says Hawaii market remained a drag in 2026, but sees conditions improving in 2027. awaii has been a drag on Alaska Air Group’s performance so far this year, but executives told investors Wednesday they are increasingly optimistic about the market in 2027 as industry capacity growth slows and temporary headwinds begin to ease. Star-Advertiser.

So What’s With All These Charter And Constitutional Amendments? Here’s what you need to know about charter amendments for Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, Maui and Kauaʻi counties, plus state constitutional amendments. Civil Beat.

Candy prices in Hawaii could see a spike as Halloween draws closer. Halloween is 10 days away, and candy is usually flying off the shelves, but candy is seeing a noticeable rise in price in Hawaii. KHON2.

Oahu

HPD staffing reassignments come amid 453 officer vacancies. The Honolulu Police Department’s evolving reassignment of officers to patrol districts comes as the department is working to fill 453 uniformed and 182 civilian vacancies as of Oct. 1. Star-Advertiser.

Public transit as billboards? Honolulu weighs new ad laws. The City’s transit system costs more than $475 million per year, but brings in only about $50 million. Bill 59 would let the City sell ad space on the outside of TheBus to help address the shortfall. KHON2.

80+ Oahu farms still struggling after months of repeated storms. Dozens of Oʻahu farms and homes hit by three different storms are still struggling to recover. Hawaiʻi groups and a national network called Extreme Weather Survivors are coming together to help them rebuild. Hawaii News Now.

Court restores $14M in McKinley sex abuse case. A mother whose daughter 15 years ago was repeatedly sexually abused by about a dozen male students at McKinley High School says the state Department of Education has never apologized or taken responsibility for its failure to protect her daughter, even after the Hawaii Supreme Court restored a $14.17 million judgment against the state. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Busy day for the County Council. Homelessness and housing funding, vacation rental regulations, and a proposed development in Waikoloa were all hot topics on the Hawaii County Council meeting agenda Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

Commission interviews 6 fire chief hopefuls; final decision expected today. The Hawaii County Fire Commission on Wednesday publicly interviewed all six candidates vying to become the island’s next fire chief. Three of the candidates are current members of the department: Daniel Volpe, and battalion chiefs Stacy Domingo and Melanie Keolanui. The other three are: Garrett Kim, a retired HFD captain; Michael Fine, a retired fire captain from the Ventura County Fire Department north of Los Angeles; and Cole Thompson, a former battalion chief in the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District in San Diego County. Tribune-Herald.

Hurricane Lala prompts Hawai‘i County Council to explore ways to proactively manage vegetation. The County Council is urging the governor and mayor to prioritize and fund proactive vegetation management to mitigate trees falling over power lines and roadways during natural disasters. Big Island Now.

Sadistic’ Cult: Hilo High Schooler Preyed On Girls Online. Kalana Limkin targeted vulnerable young girls, including a 12-year-old in Waiʻanae, amid a rise in what federal investigators call online nihilistic violent extremism.  Civil Beat.

With Their Taps Dry For 9 Weeks And Counting, They Want To Take Over. There’s no projected timeline for repairs to a private water system in Punalu‘u that Hurricane Lala damaged in August, an attorney for Eva Liu, the absentee developer who owns the system, told state regulators this week. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi County revitalization project met with hesitation. Some historic places and common public areas across Hawaiʻi Island could be getting a facelift through a measure introduced in the Hawaiʻi County Council. The new piece of legislation would appropriate up to $1 million annually to establish and fund a Town Revitalization Program. The money would go to commercial districts, downtowns, historic areas, and town centers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Meet the contenders in the unusual 3-party race for West Maui's House seat. There are three candidates on the ballot for West Maui's House District 14 State Representative seat. That's unusual because one candidate is running under the Green Party. There's only been one other Green candidate for the seat since 1992, which is when the State Elections Office's online available records end. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council committee backs temporary sewer deal for new Central Maui school. A Maui County Council committee voted 9-0 on Monday to recommend passage of a bill that would let the county provide temporary wastewater service to the new Central Maui school in Waikapū if the school opens before the county’s planned Central Maui wastewater plant is completed. Maui Now.

New program offers working Maui households up to $800 monthly.  Applications opened Monday for Maui United Way’s Kamaʻāina Credit for ALICE Households Pilot Program, which will provide monthly financial assistance to approximately 910 eligible households across Maui County for one year. Maui News.

County homebuyer program issues 100th shopping letter. Eighteen households displaced by the 2023 Maui wildfires received shopping letters Tuesday through a county homebuyer assistance program, bringing the total number of letters issued to 100. The Ho'okumu Hou First-Time Homebuyer Opportunity Program offers qualified households up to $600,000 to bridge the gap between what they can finance through a mortgage and the cost of purchasing an eligible home within Maui County. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Circuit Court approves agreement with Hilario that imposes 20-year sentence in 16-year-old Kaua‘i murder case. The Fifth Circuit Court on Wednesday approved a stipulated agreement that imposes a 20-year sentence on Vincente Hilario for a murder that took place 16 years ago on Kauaʻi. Kauai Now.

Organizations address ongoing housing, rebuilding needs for long term recovery. After distributing $364,000 in relief, Kauaʻi organizations prepare to transition to long-term recovery with emergency assistance applications closing on Oct. 24. Kauai Now.

Voter service centers open today, lopsided Legislature faces contested elections, Honolulu egg prices rise, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lopsided mix of Democrats, Republicans in Hawaii Legislature could shift. Just about half of all seats in Hawaii’s Legislature are being contested by at least two candidates in the Nov. 3 general election, which features two special races and could produce a historic third-party victory. Star-Advertiser.

Voter service centers open and voting begins. Across the state, voting service centers have opened, drop boxes are placed and voting has begun. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii fishing industry applauds new federal law targeting tuna fraud. The new law calls for a standard procedure to identify where red snapper and certain tuna species come from, including the development of a field test kit that can determine whether fish were caught in U.S. or foreign waters. The process will allow law enforcement to intercept illegally caught or falsely labeled fish before they enter U.S. markets, officials said. Hawaii News Now.

Genetic study shows seafarers from Easter Island settled Hawaii.  A band of seafarers from Easter Island in the South Pacific set off in double-hulled sailing canoes on a voyage across Earth’s largest ocean that ended more than 4,400 miles away in Hawaii, the only Polynesian island in the Northern Hemisphere.  New genetic research has determined that Native Hawaiians are genetically most closely related to the people of Easter Island, also called Rapa Nui.  Reuters.

Oahu

Council advances affordable housing transparency bill. In spite of opposition from Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration, a Honolulu City Council committee Tuesday advanced legislation requiring public disclosure of city incentives for affordable housing developers on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Planned new Oahu jail being downsized. The size of a planned new jail on Oahu is being trimmed 20% in anticipation of the state being able to lease more space at an underutilized federal detention center in Honolulu. The state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is now pursuing a new 800-bed jail to replace its 954-bed Oahu Community Correctional Center. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s New Police Chief Unveils 5-Year Plan — And Wants Your Input. Members of the public can submit feedback on the department’s strategic plan through Oct. 29.  Civil Beat.

The Honolulu City Council has given the green light to a proposed luxury tower at 1588 Ala Moana, located across the street from the Ala Moana Center. The project, dubbed “Park Lane 2,” plans to develop a new luxury hotel, condominiums, and only 69 affordable rental units — which the  UNITE HERE Local 5 union said isn’t enough. Hawaii Public Radio.

Egg prices rising faster in Honolulu than on mainland. By the end of the second quarter, the average price for a dozen conventional eggs was $10.06 — an 11.3% jump from $9.04 in 2025 and a 5.8% jump from $9.51 in the first quarter of this year. Meanwhile, on the mainland, the price for a dozen conventional eggs was $7.78 — a 1.2% increase from $7.78 last year and and a 16.8% decrease from $9.46 last quarter. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Waialua Health Clinic now open on Oahu. The new Waialua Health Clinic opened Monday at Waialua Shopping Center, and is now offering primary and preventive care for patients of all ages — from infants and keiki to adults and kupuna. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council considers program to revitalize buildings. The Town Revitalization Program, if established under the original proposal, would provide up to $1 million yearly in grants and other financial assistance for improvements to eligible buildings and areas. The R&D director would, through the county’s procurement process, select a nonprofit organization to administer the grant proposal. Tribune-Herald.

Nov. 3 General Election in Hawai’i County: What you need to know about voting, candidates, amendments. Today, Voter Service Centers open in Hilo and Kailua-Kona, and there are 10 ballot boxes set up island-wide. Big Island Now.

‘We can’t manage much longer’; PUC holds meeting regarding broken Punalu‘u water system. The Punalu‘u Water and Sanitation company is under scrutiny from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission and its customers after failing to restore water access and wastewater treatment services following damage from Hurricane Lala – leaving the approximately 100 condominiums in its service area without drinking water or flushable toilets. Tribune-Herald. KITV4. 

Big Island elementary school closed due to water outage. Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Elementary in Papa‘ikou is closed today due to water outage. Big Island Now.

Groundbreaking held for Waimea affordable housing project. A groundbreaking and blessing ceremony has been held for the Koai‘e Self Help Affordable Housing Project in Waimea. The housing project is being developed by the Hilo-based nonprofit Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Former Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald To Be Honored At Torch of Light Luncheon. The Big Island Press Club will honor retired Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald with its annual Torch of Light Award next month at a luncheon event in Hilo. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui County launches online TAT portal nearly three years after audit flagged collection problems. The Maui County Department of Finance has launched an online portal for managing county transient accommodations tax accounts, nearly three years after the county auditor flagged problems with how the county tracks and collects the tax. Maui Now.

Lahaina Restoration Foundation to hold annual meeting Nov. 6. The Lahaina Restoration Foundation will hold its 2026 annual meeting Nov. 6 at Lahainaluna High School, offering community members an update on its historic preservation and rebuilding efforts. Maui News.

Maui Coral Reef Holds Secrets Of The Past — And The Future. A coral core dating back to the 1700s is helping scientists and reef advocates plan how to protect a Maui “super reef” as it faces a challenging future. Civil Beat.

Residents can help shape H.A. Baldwin Park Adaptation Plan. The Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation will hold a public meeting about future H.A. Baldwin Park improvements and land stewardship from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Paia Community Center. Maui News.

Kauai

Lines Drawn In Princeville Battle: Golf Course Views Vs. Luxury Development. Cops have been called, lawsuits have been filed and a global investment company is trying to secure more seats on the community association’s board to help push its housing proposal through. Civil Beat.

Center dedicated to Kauaʻi teens makes its way to the Garden Isle. A center dedicated to supporting teen's wellbeing and futures is making its way to Kauaʻi through the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauaʻi native with farming roots, stint at Moonshine University, to lead distillery operations at Kōloa Rum Company. Duke Kahaulelio-Yadaoʻs journey to the leadership position began on his family farm in Kalāheo and included a fermentation workshop and distilling course in Kentucky. Kauai Now.

Work ongoing to restore storm-damaged coral reefs, $22M in OT for Honolulu firefighters, Maui Land & Pineapple embroiled in golf course lawsuit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

‘Reef into rubble’: Teams work to restore coral reefs after hurricanes.  Several teams across the state have been working tirelessly reattaching as much broken coral as they can since Hurricane Lala in August and Hurricane Lowell in September. Across the state, thousands of corals have been reattached with divers working to continue repairs as quickly as possible. Star-Advertiser.

Can OHA’s Next CEO Move The Needle On Rebuilding A Hawaiian Nation? The selection of a new leader for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs lands in the middle of key elections for the Board of Trustees.  Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

State Senate hearing examines history, importance of Native Hawaiian institutions and programs. Experts in Native Hawaiian history, law and public policy discussed the historical circumstances that led to the creation of these programs, their role in addressing longstanding inequities and their continued importance to Native Hawaiian families and communities, according to a news release.  Kauai Now.

Statewide hotel gains mask Kauai tourism collapse following Lowell. Statewide hotel performance was largely driven by higher room rates rather than stronger demand in September, as occupancy held essentially unchanged at 69.7% while average daily rate (ADR) rose 3.2% to $324 and revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased 3.3% to $226, according to a hotel performance report released by STR on Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Trump’s FBI Purge Upended Bribery Probe Involving Hawaiʻi Contractor. This story, originally published by ProPublica, is the second installment in a series about the bribery case involving Martin Kao — CEO of Hawai‘i-based defense contractor Navatek. Civil Beat.

Too Hot, No Swings: Why Hawaiʻi’s Playgrounds Don’t Hit The Fun Spot. Parents complain too many of Hawaiʻi’s public playgrounds are lacking in shade, whimsy and equipment for kids of all ages. Civil Beat.

Oahu

HPD reevaluates shuffle of 100 officers after pushback. The Honolulu Police Department is reevaluating its planned Nov. 1 re­assignment of 100 officers to bolster patrol staffing after community backlash over the shutdown of the Junior Police Officer program, Police Activities League, and other initiatives. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

$22M In Overtime: Some Honolulu Firefighters Double Their Hours. Some firefighters are working more than 100 extra days per year. The coverage is costing taxpayers millions. Civil Beat.

Council to revisit housing incentives bill. The Honolulu City Council’s Housing, Homelessness and Parks Committee today is scheduled to revisit Bill 11, which seeks greater transparency over the use of publicly funded affordable housing incentives to developers.  Star-Advertiser.

Criminal trial back on for HPD officers in near-fatal 2021 Makaha crash. Four current and former Honolulu police officers will go to trial in April next year, after exhausting a special state Supreme Court appeal.  Hawaii News Now.

‘Nothing to hide’: Laie zip line project partner addresses violations, concerns. For the first time, leaders of a controversial zip line project in Laie invited media to the attraction’s construction site to address its building violations with the city, as well as concerns from the community. Hawaii News Now.

Scarlet Nightclub denied vote after liquor recusals over harassment claims. Scarlet Nightclub’s fight with city liquor regulators escalated again after three commissioners walked out of a hearing last week, leaving the panel without enough members to vote on the club’s request for extended hours during Pride Month. Hawaii News Now.

Queen’s marks milestone in heart implant procedure. Queen’s invested millions of dollars into setting up the program, according to President and CEO Jason Chang, which involved bringing in the surgical team and surrounding support staff for the procedure. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park visitor center to reopen late this year with completion of renovations. Park rangers and other staff are preparing to relocate from the temporary Welcome Center at Kīlauea Military Camp to the renovated structure. Big Island Now.

Conference at UH Hilo for Pacific Island teens turns ugly. A conference Saturday at the University of Hawaii at Hilo intended to inspire 8th- to 12th-graders from the Pacific Islands to succeed in college, careers and community service ended in a skirmish that resulted in the arrests of two juvenile participants. Tribune-Herald.

Essential water use notice issued for South Hilo customers. Officials said a well unexpectedly went offline and crews are working to make repairs. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

15 days to election: How do mayoral candidates compare on Maui County’s challenging issues? Over the past few years, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen and Maui County Council Vice Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura have been on opposite sides of several high-profile issues.  Maui Now.

Federal lawsuit alleges racketeering, fraud, by Maui Land & Pineapple. Lawsuit claims Maui landowner doctored records to defraud TY Management Corp. for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Aloha State Daily.

West Maui fire station eyes fall 2027 opening despite ‘frustrating’ setback. Joe Pluta, president of the West Maui Improvement Foundation, says a tariff increase on Canadian steel has added more than $300,000 to the cost of the $3 million project in Olowalu. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

State requested to give $1.85M Aloun Farms, Kauaʻi Shrimp for storm recovery. The request would help the company with more than 530 acres of land used for farming, and about 140 acres for the Kauaʻi Shrimp farm. Hawaii Public Radio.

Chocolate, coffee fans support Kauai hurricane recovery. Kilohana Estate s still closed after suffering damage from Hurricane Lowell. The 11th Kauai Chocolate and Coffee Festival listed celebrating and supporting Kauai recovery as one of its objectives in hosting the event. Garden Island.

More delays for $108.7M Convention Center repairs, Medicaid provider Centene leaving the state, Honolulu voters to decide HPD's role in immigration enforcement, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawai‘i Convention Center’s $108.7M repair project faces delays. The $108.7 million effort to repair the Hawai‘i Convention Center’s leaking rooftop terrace could face new delays and cost increases after demolition uncovered conditions that differ from the original building plans, forcing engineers to revisit portions of the project. Star-Advertiser.

Employers Face Double-Digit Increases In Health Insurance Rates. After years of single-digit increases in the base rates approved by Hawaiʻi’s insurance regulators, three of the state’s main health insurers received double-digit increases in 2026 for a benchmark health insurance rate and are asking for more for 2027.  Civil Beat.

Tech Troubles Trip Up Hawaiʻi’s Child Welfare System. Contractor flaws and delays in a complicated $18M tech upgrade pose ‘substantial risks’ to the state, according to consultants. Civil Beat.

Centene exiting Hawaii’s Med-QUEST program at end of year. National health insurer Centene is pulling out of Hawaii’s Medicaid market, leaving 24,000 members in need of a new plan. For nearly 20 years, Centene Corp., based in St. Louis, offered the ‘Ohana Health Plan, which provided medical, behavioral health and long-term services for low-income individuals and families enrolled in Hawaii’s Med-QUEST program. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii to pay healthcare tuition in exchange for 5 years working in rural area. Hawaii is using a portion of its $188.9 million in federal funds from the Rural Health Transformation Program to pay student tuition. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii to invest $123M for system’s top priorities. The University of Hawaii plans to invest $123 million across its 10-campus system over the next two to three years, using accumulated cash balances to fund more than 100 initiatives aimed at improving student success, addressing workforce shortages and modernizing university operations. Star-Advertiser.

 Pro-Choice, Anti-Abortion Mainlander Seeks Oʻahu Congress Seat. Nathan Berning doesn’t live in Hawaiʻi, but he’s running for Congress here so he can push an anti-abortion agenda. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu ballot question weighs HPD's role in immigration enforcement. Should the Honolulu Police Department be involved in federal immigration enforcement? That's a question Oʻahu voters can weigh in on during the general election this November.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Should City Boards Allow Non-Citizens And Loosen Quorum Rules? Two proposals on Honolulu ballots are aimed at making it easier for some city boards and commissions to operate by expanding who can serve on the board and changing the number of members who need to be present to vote on issues. Civil Beat.

HPD clarifies future of JPO, PAL programs after 100 officers shifted to patrol. After 100 officers were reassigned to patrols, the Honolulu Police Department is trying to clear up confusion over the future of the Junior Police Officer (JPO) and Police Activities League (PAL) programs. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Wright Homes to be redeveloped with 2,450 units. The project was built in 1953 and has 364 public housing apartments. It takes up nearly 15 acres in a block bounded by North King Street, Liliha Street and Vineyard Boulevard. Hawaii Public Radio.

New elementary school planned for growing East Kapolei. The 12-acre campus along Iwikuamoo and Honouliuli streets will be the first public elementary school in the Hoʻopili area. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s plantation legacy leaves lasting risks of flooding and fires. Months after Kona-low storms in March flooded homes and farmland on Oahu’s North Shore, community members say damaged infrastructure, blocked waterways and a lack of clear responsibility for maintaining plantation-era irrigation systems continue to leave the area vulnerable to flooding. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

TMT’s project manager reflects on lessons learned since protests stopped construction. It has been seven years since hundreds of people locked arms, stood together and lay down across the road to block access to the summit of Maunakea, halting the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope, what would have been one of the largest telescopes in the world. Tribune-Herald.

It’s The Wild, Wild West For Groundwater Management In Waikōloa. A housing development slated for West Hawaiʻi could provide much needed workforce housing. It could also put more stress on a limited freshwater supply. Civil Beat.

Board votes to deny opihi settlement. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources denied a settlement proposal earlier this month for two of three men caught taking over 4,000 opihi from the Kaupulehu Marine Reserve on the Kona coast last year that would have allowed them to do community service instead of paying thousands of dollars in fines. Tribune-Herald.

Community celebrates county’s acquisition of Honolulu Landing. Community members gathered Saturday to celebrate Hawaii County’s acquisition of 364 acres of land along the Puna coast known as Honolulu Landing, which will now be preserved in perpetuity. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Central Maui Election Will Bring A New Face To The Council. Marvin Moniz is running against Ashley Awakea Lindsey to fill the seat long held by Council Chair Alice Lee. Civil Beat.

USPS considers curbside delivery for rebuilt Lahaina homes. The U.S. Postal Service is open to reversing its heavily criticized decision to not resume curbside mail service for many Lahaina residents who rebuilt homes destroyed by the 2023 wildfire. Star-Advertiser.

Diversified farming company to grow avocados on 1,000 Maui acres. Mahi Pono recently announced the expansion plan, which it said is expected to result in an initial commercial harvest within five years followed by over 10 million pounds of avocados harvested annually. Star-Advertiser.

Public hearings set on Maui for proposed changes to state conservation land rules. The state Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands will hold two public hearings on Maui this month and Molokaʻi next month on proposed amendments to the rules that govern land use and permitting in Hawaiʻi’s Conservation District. Maui Now.

Kauai

HTA seeks tourism emergency declaration after Lowell takes a toll. Across Kauai, the immediate damage from Lowell has been largely repaired, but a 59% plunge in visitor bookings threatens businesses, jobs and airline service, prompting the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority to seek Gov. Josh Green’s approval for an emergency declaration and a $2.5 million marketing campaign. Star-Advertiser.

Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency Grant-in-Aid application period reopen. Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency announces it reopened the application period for the fiscal year 2026-27 Grant-in-Aid program, starting Oct. 16. Kauai Now.

State homeless contractor CEO spent tax money on Vegas trip, sex aids; Matson spent dark money to try to oust U.S. Rep. Case; Honolulu PD reassigns 100 officers to patrol, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Nonprofit CEO responds after audit flags Vegas trip expenses. One part of the expansive audit: a $5,200 state reimbursement for a 2024 Vegas trip for a conference to HomeAid CEO Kimo Carvalho, contracted to build kauhale. Expenses included a first-class airline upgrade, minibar charges, and two sexual intimacy kits that included condoms, lubricants, restraints, vibrators and a feather tickler. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Green defends the speed and spending of the Kauhale Initiative. A report from the state Office of the Auditor criticized the lack of oversight on a no-bid contract and pointed out millions of dollars in questionable or unauthorized spending by HomeAid Hawaiʻi, the lead developer for the  Kauhale Initiative, which was designed to provide long-term housing for people experiencing homelessness. Hawaii Public Radio.

Matson Bankrolled Dark Money Super PAC, New Filings Show. Newly filed reports from the Federal Election Commission show that Matson’s political action committee and Boyd Gaming Corp. donated a combined $100,000 to Future Progress to fund a last minute advertising campaign supporting Hawaiʻi State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole’s unsuccessful bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Ed Case in the Democratic primary. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Supreme Court considers case of idled Elections Commission. A polarized and paralyzed state commission with elections oversight duties may have the Hawaii Supreme Court break an impasse that has prevented the panel from meeting since June. Two members of the nine-member State of Hawaii Elections Commission successfully petitioned the court to get involved in a dispute over whether the State Office of Elections can schedule and host a public meeting for the commission absent a request from the commission’s chair or at least five members. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Inflation rates in Hawaii higher than mainland. Struggles to pay for housing and basic goods have weighed heavily on Hawaii residents as the islands have seen an ongoing decline in population as people leave for better-paying jobs and cheaper costs on the U.S. continent. Star-Advertiser.

Here’s How Much Hawaiʻi Seniors Need To Cover Basic Monthly Costs. Hawaiʻi couples who rent and are over the age of 65 need an average of $4,585 per month to cover basic needs without public or private help — and that’s if they’re healthy. That is roughly $670 more than the national average, according to a preliminary analysis from the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization, or UHERO. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers push for bonds to fund infrastructure. Gov. Josh Green, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami and state lawmakers urged Hawaii voters Wednesday to approve a constitutional amendment that would authorize a new way to finance infrastructure projects, arguing it could help address the state’s housing shortage without raising property taxes. Star-Advertiser.

Ongoing Pacific hurricane season already setting records. This year’s hurricane season across the Pacific Ocean is now the most energetic yet — and there’s still about six weeks left to go. Star-Advertiser.

DOJ Grilled On Hurdles Immigrants Face In Court Following Civil Beat Story. The Hawaiʻi congressional delegation cited a September article showing Trump-appointed judges were four times as likely to require immigrants to show up in person. They are asking why. Civil Beat.

Oahu

100 HPD officers to be reassigned to patrol. The Honolulu Police Department is projecting a $34 million shortfall at the end of the year and exceeded its overtime budget by $6 million in the first quarter, contributing to difficult financial decisions and staff reassignments. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.  Aloha State Daily.

After half a decade, Aloha Tower officially reopens. For the first time in five years, the public is once again able to enjoy the views from Honolulu’s historic Aloha Tower. The iconic island landmark held its formal grand reopening on the morning of Oct. 15 after shutting down for repairs during the COVID pandemic. Hawaii Public Radio. Aloha State Daily. 

Honolulu Council: Former Member Faces Opponent Who Embraces Conspiracies. East Honolulu voters have starkly different candidates to choose from as they decide who to entrust as one of the island’s nine council members. Civil Beat.

Voting explainer: 2026 Honolulu charter amendment ballot questions. Oʻahu voters can vote on a whopping 20 charter amendment questions in the November election. Questions range from creating a food security fund to who can serve on boards and commissions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Family of North Shore surfer sues city, state over crash near Chun’s Reef. More than a year after a crash along Kamehameha Highway left surfer Dakota Briley with serious injuries, his family is seeking accountability from the City and County of Honolulu and the State of Hawaii. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Leeward Planning Commission OK’s bill aimed at banning data centers. The Hawaii County Leeward Planning Commission voted Thursday in support of a bill aimed at prohibiting data centers on the island. Introduced by Hamakua Councilwoman Heather Kimball, Bill 170 would create a definition for a “data center” and not include it as a permitted use anywhere in the county code, essentially creating a ban. Tribune-Herald.

Kawakami to headline Hilo Grand Rally on Saturday. A large crowd is expected as Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami addresses attendees at the Hilo Grand Rally on Saturday.Kawakami will appear on general election ballots as the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor. Tribune-Herald.

Sea Dragon Energy comes to Kona’s technology park to turn seawater into jet fuel. John Kohut, chairman and CEO of Sea Dragon Energy, spoke to a group of community and business leaders at a traditional Hawaiian blessing the company held at its warehouse located at the Hawai‘i Ocean Science Technology Park in Kailua-Kona that is operated by the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi Authority. Big Island Now.

UH officials host meeting on tuition hikes in Hilo. University of Hawaii officials presented details at a public meeting Wednesday about how a proposal to increase tuition across the UH system would impact UH Hilo, Hawaii Community College and the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Future Maui Development? Kahului Council Candidates Hold Opposing Views. Carol Lee Kamekona is trying to unseat Kauanoe Batangan on the Maui County Council in the Nov. 3 general election. Civil Beat.

Uniqlo Founder Accuses Maui Water Provider Of ‘Textbook Financial Fraud’. A federal lawsuit says Maui Land & Pineapple fraudulently quadrupled water rates to cover repairs to water systems it is responsible for maintaining. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. 

County moves forward with temporary safe parking site. Maui County is doing groundwork to provide a temporary safe parking site in Central Maui for unhoused residents who live in their vehicles. The county said the temporary site along Pulehu Road is being designed to accommodate about 50 vehicles and provide a safer, more organized location for individuals currently living in their vehicles while a permanent site is being planned in Kahului. Maui News.  Maui Now.

Maui-grown limes take flight to international markets. More than 80,000 pounds of Maui-grown limes are now flying from Kahului to Seattle each week aboard Hawaiian Airlines aircraft, before continuing on to markets in Canada. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Needs More Affordable Housing. Council Candidates Have Ideas. With median sales prices on Kaua‘i at nearly $1.5 million for a single-family home and over $700,000 for a condo, candidates for the county’s seven-member council say that more needs to be done to prevent local families from being priced out.  Civil Beat.

Voting explainer: 2026 Kauaʻi charter amendment ballot questions. Kauaʻi voters can vote on one charter amendment question in the November election. It tackles the process of appealing decisions by the Kauaʻi County Planning Department. Hawaii Public Radio.

Preserving affordable housing. A dedication ceremony marked the successful completion of a $7 million rehabilitation of Kalepa 23 by the Kauai Housing Development Corporation (KHDC) and its community partners. Garden Island.

New lifeguard tower installed at Wanini Beach on North Shore. Kauaʻi Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau completed installation Thursday of a new lifeguard tower at the North Shore’s Wanini Beach. Kauai Now.

Case wants Dems to take on Trump, Maui prosecutor says Bissen not under investigation, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach to be in public hands, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi’s Ed Case Wants Dems To Take On Trump — Cautiously. All but assured another term, the congressman is campaigning and plotting a future where Democrats “come up with actual solutions.” Civil Beat.

Voting explainer: 2026 state constitutional amendment ballot questions. Hawaiʻi voters will have the chance to weigh in on two constitutional amendment questions in the November election. One question asks if the state Senate should have more time to confirm a judicial appointment, and another tackles infrastructure bonds. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi’s Youth Are Leaving. Meet The People Keeping Talent Here. A local nonprofit is empowering high school students to tackle some of the state’s biggest problems while taking on its own challenge of addressing Hawaiʻi’s brain drain.  Civil Beat.

Federal aid for individuals after Lala, Lowell still pending. Federal emergency assistance for individual residents impacted by Hurricane Lala and Hurricane Lowell remains in limbo despite presidential approval last week for the funding for state and local governments as well as qualified nonprofits. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu charter amendment would create Oʻahu food security fund. Question 1 on Oʻahu's ballot this year will ask voters if they're for or against establishing a new Special Fund that would dedicate 0.5% of real property tax revenue to a Food Security Fund. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oʻahu voters to weigh proposed Native Hawaiian cultural office. Honolulu voters will decide this year if an Office of ʻŌiwi Resources and Cultural Stewardship should be created within the Mayor’s office, along with a cultural advisory council to help guide its work. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ranked-choice voting: How proposed charter amendment could change elections in Honolulu. With ballots set to arrive in mailboxes this week, election officials urge voters to take their time and do their homework, especially on the amendment questions. KITV4.

Lottery open for new low-income kupuna housing tower in Kalihi. The 15-story Ho‘ohiki Senior Living complex features 249 apartments reserved for seniors who are at least 55 years old and earn no more than 60% of Honolulu’s annual median income, though many units are reserved for senior households earning no more than 50% or 30% of the median. Star-Advertiser.

Veteran’s family challenges VA hospital over her death during ‘routine’ procedure. Fredenalda Kuulei Price was born in Kahaluu on Feb. 1, 1969, during an intense storm. Her mother went into labor while the family was stranded at home and firefighters had to carry her through rushing floodwaters to an ambulance.  Star-Advertiser.

Golden Coin in Kalihi reopens after violations fixed. The state Health Department has authorized the reopening of Golden Coin Bake Shop in Kalihi after multiple food safety violations were corrected. Star-Advertiser.

Police investigating kittens thrown from cars onto Oahu freeways. Honolulu police are investigating several heinous animal cruelty cases involving reports of cats and kittens being thrown from moving vehicles onto Oahu freeways. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park To Belong To The Public. Hawaiʻi County has reached a tentative agreement to buy Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park for $1.46 million after prior negotiations with the private landowner failed in August, Mayor Kimo Alameda announced Tuesday. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Hawai‘i County Fire Commission reschedules interviews with 6 finalists for chief. The Hawai‘i County Fire Commission has rescheduled candidate interviews for a new Hawai‘i County fire chief after Hurricane Nolo forced the postponement of the original dates. The six finalists now will be interviewed on Oct. 21 at 9 a.m. Big Island Now.

Improvements to Hilo veterans cemetery to begin in January. The project — which will raise and realign almost 4,500 grave markers, install burial section markers and flower watering stations, and do grading, soil and turf rehabilitation work on 5.5 acres of the Laimana Street cemetery — is being funded by a grant of up to $6,132,225 awarded Sept. 30 to the state by the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration. Tribune-Herald.

Hearings Set On Changes To Hawaiʻi Conservation District Land Use Rules. Changes are being proposed to the rules governing land use and permitting within Hawaiʻi’s State Land Use Conservation District. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Prosecutor Says Mayor Bissen Was Not Targeted In AG Investigation. The prosecutor says he has been involved in that case and knows it did not target the mayor. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Man who killed Maui officer to serve life in prison. Prosecutors will ask a judge to impose the “maximum sentence allowed by law” when sentencing a Makawao man convicted of shooting and killing Maui Police Department Officer Suzanne O on Aug. 15, 2025. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. 

Unexpected tariffs increase the cost of West Maui’s Olowalu Fire Station project. An unexpected increase in costs resulting from US tariffs on Canadian steel and steel components has created a financial challenge for the West Maui Improvement Foundation’s Olowalu Fire Station project. Maui Now.

DLNR schedules Maui hearings on conservation district rule changes. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold public hearings on Maui on Oct. 28 and 29 on proposed changes to rules governing land use and permitting within Hawaii's Conservation District.  Maui News.

Kauai

Hā‘ena State Park reopens later this week to public. Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources notifies the public that Hā‘ena State Park reopens Oct. 15 to the public following a closure that began Sept. 6 because of concern for public safety upon the arrival of Hurricane Lowell. Kauai Now. Garden Island.