Case blasts military bill as neglecting Hawaii, former HTA finance official claims retaliation, Honolulu reopens popup homeless camp, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Military bill neglects Hawaii’s needs, Case says. U.S. Rep. Ed Case is blasting military appropriation legislation that is moving through the House of Representatives as “shortchanging” priorities critical to Hawaii, including environmental cleanup and military infrastructure. Star-Advertiser. Aloha State Daily.

As immigration fears reverberate, Hawaiʻi's COFA communities work to stay informed. Here in Hawaiʻi, one particularly vulnerable immigrant community is made up of those in the country as part of COFA, the Compact of Free Association — an arrangement between the U.S. and island nations throughout Micronesia that gives citizens of those countries permission to live and work in the U.S. in exchange for a U.S. military presence in their homelands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Top Hawaiʻi Tourism Official Claims Retaliation For Reporting Mismanagement. More problems within the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority are coming to light in the lawsuit by Isaac Choy, a former vice president of finance. Civil Beat.

New laws signed by the governor will soften criminal prosecution of juveniles in Hawaii. One of the new laws would ban the arrest and criminal treatment of any child under 12 years old, and another would guarantee parole for anyone, even multiple murderers who commit the crime before their 21st birthday. Hawaii News Now.

State Legislature rules in favor of Hawaiʻi Judiciary. The 2025 legislative session was one of the most successful for the Judiciary: better compensation, more judge positions, and more diversion programs. Hawaii Public Radio.

House votes to kill funding for public media. The House of Representatives narrowly approved legislation Thursday to eliminate the next two years of federal funding for public media outlets. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s school lunch 2nd in US for nutrition. With a score of 76 out of 100, Hawaii is second in the nation for having the most nutritious school meals, according to the 2025 State of School Lunch Report from ProCare Therapy. Maui News.

Oahu

Homeless triage operation is back at Old Stadium Park. The city’s pop-up homeless triage operation has returned to Old Stadium Park in the McCully-Moiliili area of South King Street for the third time to provide temporary — and perhaps long-term — housing for a homeless population that grows when other enforcement occurs in nearby Diamond Head, Waikiki and Chinatown. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

DOE Called For 12 New Schools In ‘Ewa A Decade Ago. It’s Built 2. The education department has been unable to keep up with the housing boom in ʻEwa and Kapolei – even as developers contribute land and money to help build new schools. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaiʻi program for women in geosciences ends due to Trump Administration’s funding cuts. A program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa that supported dozens of career development activities for women in geosciences and community outreach was terminated by the loss of federal funding, according to a news release from the university. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Island Urgent Care centers fined $2.19 million. The attorney representing the owner of the Hilo and Keaau Urgent Care centers on Thursday afternoon said his client is in the process of appealing a cease-and-desist order and fines of $2.19 million for performing clinical laboratory work without the required permits. Tribune-Herald. KHON2. 

Lifeguard Service Launching At Kohanaiki Beach Park. Kohanaiki will be the 13th beach under HFD lifeguard protection. The tower will be staffed daily. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Affordable Housing Gets A Big Boost In Maui County’s $1.56 Billion Budget. Maui County Council members said the budget is aimed at catching up on development projects and social services after years of being focused on the wildfires and Covid-19. Civil Beat.

Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama receives $760,528 grant to launch Volunteer Rebuild Housing Program for Maui fire survivors. The award will launch the new Volunteer Rebuild Housing Program, expand disaster recovery operations, and enhance coordination of direct services for families impacted by the August 2023 wildfires on Maui. Maui Now.

Workshops, open houses to focus on Lahaina Town street design. The Maui County Office of Recovery will be seeking input on the way streets in the commercial core of Lahaina town, including Front Street, are rebuilt during a series of design workshops and open houses June 24-26. Maui News.

Maui’s single-family home prices increase; condo sales decline in April and May 2025. Maui’s housing market experienced similar trends in April and May, with both single-family and condominium sales declining compared to the same time last year, according to the latest data from the Realtors Association of Maui.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Police Commission seeks public input on traits needed for next chief.  The Kaua‘i Police Commission is seeking input from all residents of Kaua‘i regarding the traits and qualities the next chief should possess and is asking community members to participate in the Police Chief Desirable Traits survey between now and June 30. Kauai Now.

200+ trek to Washington for Hawaii on the Hill, Green joins governors condeming use of National Guard in Los Angeles, Kilauea Volcano puts on a show, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano erupts. One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea on Hawaii’s Big Island, began spewing lava from the north vent Wednesday, the latest event in an ongoing eruption that began almost six months ago. Episode 25 started and ended on Wednesday, with lava fountain heights once again reaching over 1,000 feet. Associated Press. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Green, Lopez condemn Trump’s use of National Guard in L.A. Gov. Josh Green and Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez joined their Democratic counterparts from around the country in condemning President Donald Trump’s deployment of California National Guard troops to quell protests of immigration sweeps in Los Angeles. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Maui News.

Hawaiʻi On The Hill. More than 200 of Hawaiʻi’s political and business luminaries gathered in Washington, D.C., this week for the 9th annual Hawaiʻi on the Hill event, a three-day gathering that allows business and nonprofit groups to showcase their wares and meet directly with congressional power players. Civil Beat. Big Island Now.

Gov. Josh Green could veto 19 bills. Here are 5 you should know about. The 19 bills on Gov. Josh Green's intent-to-veto list impact many different issues, from criminal justice to housing to taxes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Green may spare Hawaiʻi's renewable energy tax credit. House Bill 796 would sunset several income tax credits, including one that offers people up to $5,000 back for the installation of a rooftop solar system. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Governor Urged To Reconsider Possible Veto Of E-Bike Bill. Advocates say HB 958 addresses a growing public safety challenge. But the attorney general worries it’s unconstitutional and a threat to electric vehicles. Civil Beat.

Fentanyl overdose deaths drop in Hawaii as meth-related fatalities spike. A sharp rise in deaths is connected to methamphetamine in Hawaii, the highest in five years. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

New state law bolsters Red Hill fuel spill remediation efforts. Gov. Josh Green on Friday signed a bill into law that directs a state Department of Land and Natural Resources official to develop a public dashboard to display water test results from sources around the Red Hill facility, which is being decommissioned by the Navy under a closure plan anticipated for completion in 2028. Star-Advertiser.

AG:  Native Hawaiian Skeletal Remains Destroyed After State Halted North Shore Project. Hawaiʻi is seeking a restraining order against the landowner and builder who were installing a septic system at a Ke Iki beach property where iwi kūpuna were damaged. Civil Beat.

DOH invites residents to learn about groundwater and contaminants. Oʻahu residents use 145 million gallons of water per day — but where exactly does that water come from? Hawaii Public Radio.

Woman arrested, charged for biting 2 police officers in Downtown Honolulu. Officers were securing detainees to transport them to the district court when 40-year-old Maile Eberly became combative. The suspect bit a male and a female officer leading them both to suffer injuries. KITV4.

Transair plane with landing gear issues makes hard landing at Honolulu airport. Authorities say Transair flight R96, a Short SD3-60 turboprop aircraft, had five people on board. No one was hurt.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

Dry season kicks off with an islandwide drought. While portions of East Hawaii are getting rainfall, particularly during nighttime hours, the entire Big Island remains in drought. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Island Reserves To Temporarily Close For Animal Control. State officials say the action is part of a federal mandate to protect the habitat of the critically endangered palila bird. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Mayor Bissen signs $1.56B budget into law; Priorities are kamaʻāina housing, recovery and well-being. The budget was signed into law four days after it was unanimously passed by Maui County Council on June 6, 2025. Maui Now.

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ 656-acre project of farms, homes, public spaces in Hāna moves forward. The project in the Wākiu area will take place on a vacant swath of land mauka of Hāna Highway, across the street from Hāna High and Elementary School and the Hāna Public Library, according to a final environmental assessment of the master plan released Sunday. Maui Now.

Lahaina community meeting on fire hazard mitigation to be held June 16. The County of Maui will hold a meeting for the Lahaina community on fire prevention, mitigation and evacuation planning at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2025, at the Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School cafeteria. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Search Is On For New Kauaʻi Police Chief. Todd Raybuck’s tenure was clouded by controversy, but the outgoing police chief says he is leaving the Kauaʻi Police Department in better shape than when he arrived in 2019. Civil Beat.

Foster care in crisis, state Supreme Court mulls HMSA insurance denials, Maui mayor signs $1.56B budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Foster System In Crisis: Kids Still Sleeping In Offices, Hotels. A toddler, age 2, spent the night in a government office on Kauaʻi. A 13-year-old slept on an Oʻahu office futon for almost two months. And a 15-year-old lived for more than three months out of offices and hotel rooms on Hawaiʻi Island. For some Hawaiʻi foster youth, government offices and hotels are a home of last resort.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s biggest insurer defends provider contracts before state Supreme Court.  The Hawaii Supreme Court saw a historic argument as Hawaii’s biggest insurer defended its rules against some doctors and patients. They say Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) preauthorization and contract rules interfere with patient care, while the company says they help doctors do their jobs quickly and effectively. Hawaii News Now. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Kapolei affordable housing project sought on city-owned site. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration says it’s seeking a developer to turn a vacant city-owned parcel in West Oahu into a mixed-use, transit-­oriented development that will feature 600 to 800 affordable housing units. Star-Advertiser.

Queen’s holds blessing ceremony for expanded downtown emergency department. The department recently underwent renovations that expanded its size, more than doubling the number of its treatment rooms, and now offers dedicated facilities for state-of-the-art CT and X-ray services. Star-Advertiser.

Miske Case: Prosecutors Agree To Negotiate Settlement Over Asset Forfeiture. The deal to settle over millions of dollars in assets is an indication that the government is seeking to avoid another long, complex and expensive trial in the case. Civil Beat.

No markings, no clarity: Crosswalk changes create risky guessing game in Honolulu. Over the past decade, the city has eliminated dozens of Honolulu crosswalks. Officials say the changes aim to make streets safer by encouraging pedestrians to cross at traffic lights. But critics argue that rarely happens along a busy stretch of S. King Street. Hawaii News Now.

UH president appoints Vassilis Syrmos as interim Mānoa provost. University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel on Monday appointed Vassilis Syrmos as UH Mānoa’s interim provost. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Pohoiki Boat Ramp dredging begins. Dredging work began today to restore access to the lava-barricaded Pohoiki Boat Ramp, eight years after an eruption of Kilauea volcano rendered the structure unusable. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

State senator pitches hydropower plant on Kohala Mountain. State Sen. Tim Richards has an idea on how to provide more renewable energy and clean water to Hawaiʻi Island residents -- a pumped storage hydropower plant on Kohala Mountain. Hawaii Public Radio.

Protective order against former UFC champ B.J. Penn extended. Penn must immediately vacate the home he shares in Hilo with his 79-year-old mother, Lorraine P. Shin. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Maui mayor signs $1.56B budget into law towards housing, recovery, natural resources. Mayor Richard Bissen signed Maui’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget of approximately $1.56 billion that addresses housing for kamaʻāina, recovery and cultural and natural resources. KITV4.

Recent drownings in Wailea put spotlight on Maui’s longtime issue of too many unguarded beaches. Before the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfire that drastically curbed tourism, Maui County had the second-highest ocean drowning fatality rate per capita in the state from 2019-2023, according to the Hawai‘i Water Safety Plan released in January. And, the average per capita rate of drownings was twice as high on Neighbor Islands as on O‘ahu.  Maui Now.

Maui’s main stadium shuts down for major repairs. War Memorial Stadium will be closed for more than a year to undergo much-needed repairs. That means sports events and even graduations will have to go somewhere else. Hawaii News Now.

A `promise to restore balance’: Mayor Bissen makes his case for vacation rental phase-out. Citing Maui’s severe post-wildfire housing crisis, the Bissen administration presented its formal case to a County Council committee to phase out approximately 6,000 short-term vacation rentals mostly in West and South Maui. Maui Now.

With housing and economy at stake, Maui County weighs phase-out of 7,000 vacation rentals. The Maui County Council is currently weighing whether or not to pass a bill that would phase out roughly 7,000 transient vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts, nearly half of the island’s supply. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News.  Maui Now.

MPD seeks help with unclaimed bodies. Maui police are asking for help contacting the family members of five people who are deceased. Maui News.

Kauai

Annual sewer rate increase on Kaua‘i kicks in on July 1. A sewer rate increase approved by the Kaua‘i County Council in 2022 increases the sewer rate by 11% per year over five years.  Kauai Now.

Kauai’s most remote areas now covered by high-speed internet.  The island of Kaua‘i is now fully fiber-enabled, providing Hawaiian Telcom customers access to high-speed internet. Hawaii News Now.

New ambulance station in Hanalei will increase calls, enhance response times for the secluded east side of the island. The new station is staffed 24/7 every day of the year and will enhance emergency coverage and response times for the more secluded area of the island. Kauai Now.

Broadband bills signed, vacation rental laws stir public in two counties, Honolulu council shakeup, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New Hawaii law creates broadband office to close connectivity gap. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, serving as acting governor while Gov. Josh Green is out of state, on Monday signed two bills into law aimed at closing Hawaii’s digital divide by establishing a centralized state Broadband Office and expanding digital literacy services. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Hawaii News Now. 

What Is Farming? Hawaiʻi Moves To Broaden Allowed Agricultural Uses. The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture plans to overhaul its rules this summer to allow more than just agricultural production on 25,000 acres under a new agricultural enterprise lands program. Civil Beat.

Hawaii keiki face mixed trends in well-being vs. mainland peers. Hawaii’s children are increasingly affected by housing instability and parental job insecurity, ranking the state among the worst in the nation for economic well-being, according to the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book released Monday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Star-Advertiser.

Report shows use of Hawaiian language growing at home. Once banned in public schools in Hawaii, the Hawaiian language continues to make a comeback, rising as a spoken language among households by more than 48% in less than 10 years. Maui News.

ACLU of Hawai‘i asks county leaders not to collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Hawaiʻi is urging county leaders in the state to refrain from assisting the federal government with immigration enforcement. Kauai Now.

Will Cuts To Pension Benefits Hurt Efforts to Recruit New Hawaiʻi Judges? The Hawaiʻi Salary Commission approved hefty pay raises for judges to help attract more applications for the bench. Then lawmakers voted to cut judges’ pension benefits. Civil Beat.

How The Māmaki Tea Industry Shut Down A Bill Regulating Its Products. Opponents of the measure said the bill would hurt the industry it was intended to help. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council shake-up follows close vote on sewer rate increase. The face-off at the Honolulu City Council over sewer fees now has political fallout for two council members. Two days after council chair Tommy Waters lost that vote, two members who voted against him are losing their leadership positions. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu condo buyers gaining advantages in slowing market. The Honolulu Board of Realtors reported that condominium sales plummeted 22% in May to 374 from 478 in the same month last year, representing the biggest year-over-year decline for any month in the last 11 months. Star-Advertiser.

Parking rates are going up at Honolulu airport. Hourly parking rates at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport are going up starting July 1.  Hawaii News Now.

City seeks development partner for West Oahu affordable housing project.  On Monday, the Honolulu Department of Housing and Land Management put in a request for qualifications to help develop 13 acres of land near Wakea Street and Kamokila Boulevard. Hawaii News Now.

With insecticide planned for hundreds of trees in urban Honolulu, farmers want a natural way to fend off coconut rhinoceros beetles. Crews are injecting about 800 trees from Kakaako Waterfront Park through Kewalo Basin to Magic Island with an insecticide called Xytect. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Council seeks more oversight with passage of vacation rental bill. The Hawaiʻi County Council has passed a measure requiring short-term rental owners to register their units with the county. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers offer updates about recent legislative session. House Bill 818, which would’ve established the Waiakea Peninsula Community Development District, died after passing over to the Senate, which didn’t schedule any hearings about the measure. Tribune-Herald.

Kona Airport Runway To Close Overnight On Wednesday, June 11. Runway 17-35 at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole will close from 10 p.m. on June 11 to 6 a.m. on June 12, as part of an ongoing runway rehabilitation project. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Emotions Are High As Maui Considers Phasing Out Short-Term Rentals. Dozens of people turned out to testify on Mayor Richard Bissen’s effort to convert short-term rentals into long-term housing in a bid to ease the affordable housing crisis. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

50 trucks will spend 5 months moving Lahaina fire debris to permanent landfill. Fifty trucks will spend five months hauling Lahaina wildfire debris to a landfill in the center of Maui starting next Monday, Maui County said. There’s enough debris to fill five football fields five stories high. Associated Press. Maui News. 

Maui Humane Society selected for national lost pet technology pilot program. The Maui Humane Society has been selected as one of 25 shelters around the country to participate in a program called Network Neighbors to help more lost pets get back home. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Three graduate from Kauai Police Department 101st Recruit Class. One of the few remaining items needing attention by Police Chief Todd Raybuck before Thursday was the administering of oath to three graduates of the 101st Police Recruit Class on Monday at the Kauai Veterans Center. Garden Island.

Although bacteria rates are rising, federal funding cuts threaten water quality testing. In its national annual report, Surfrider Foundation revealed that Waikomo Stream at Kōloa Landing in Poʻipū was on a list of the top ten beach bacteria hotspots. Kauai Now.

 

Green releases intent-to-veto list, state Republicans visit White House, money comng to rail-impacted business, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Governor considers vetoing parts of the budget, plus housing and tax credit bills. Also making the list are bills stipulating the labeling of Māmaki tea and making as yet unidentified line-item reductions to the state budget.  Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Full Intent-To-Veto List. Governor's Press Release.

State Republican lawmakers meet with the White House, federal officials. Hawaii state senators Brenton Awa and Samantha DeCorte, and state Rep. Diamond Garcia spoke to officials from the federal departments of the interior and defense to find ways to reduce the Native Hawaiian housing list.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s math teaching deemed ‘unacceptable’. A nonpartisan national council that analyzed the quality of the nation’s math teaching found Hawaii to be one of seven states with an “unacceptable” rating for math education. Tribune-Herald.

Ridding state Capitol of water leaks nears completion. Keeping rainwater out of subterranean spaces of the state Capitol has been a big undertaking that now is within sight of completion by September after some unexpected extra effort. Star-Advertiser.

Jarrett Keohokalole Talks About HECO 'Sell-Out' And Condo Insurance Rescue. The Senate Commerce chair was in the middle of some of the Legislature’s most contentious issues. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s SNAP recipients at risk of losing nutritional benefits. Around 158,000 of Hawaii’s low-income seniors, families and single adults could lose essential nutrition education and access to local produce by the end of September if the U.S. House- proposed tax bill, which would cut an estimated $300 billion from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is approved by the Senate. Star-Advertiser.

Regulators say no to time-of-use rates for HECO customers. The Public Utilities Commission has determined that an experimental electricity rate program isn't ready for a full roll-out to Hawaiian Electric customers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii support for LGBTQ+ community is loud and proud. Hawaii has generally veered progressive in its support of the LGBTQ+ community. The state was one of the first to legalize same-sex relationships and protect against discrimination in housing and employment. Star-Advertiser.

New Lawsuit Raises Concerns Over Labeling Of ‘Reef-Safe’ Sunscreens. Experts say labeling sunscreens “reef-friendly” is deceptive since even chemicals that aren’t banned can do widespread damage to coral reefs. Civil Beat.

4 Hawaii beaches land in Dr. Beach’s top 10. Wailea Beach on Maui and Poipu Beach on Kauai were ranked No. 2 and 3, respectively. Kaunaoa Beach on Hawaii island, also known as Mauna Kea Beach, captured the eighth spot followed by La­ni­kai Beach on Oahu at No. 9 on the list compiled by Florida International University professor Stephen Leatherman. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Grant changes approved for rail-affected businesses. The Honolulu City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to pass Bill 31, which increases the maximum allowed annual revenue for affected small businesses to $1 million, up from $750,000, under the city’s transit construction mitigation fund, or TCMF, grant program. Star-Advertiser.

Chinatown rail station design comes into focus. The public will soon get a close look at renderings for the proposed Chinatown rail station, one of the final six planned stations along an overhead “guideway” rail track that are expected to be cheaper to build and operate, look different and attract local subcontractors to do the work. Star-Advertiser.

DAGS takes on convention center project despite ‘aggressive’ timetable. The state Department of Accounting and General Services has pledged to help the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority through a leadership change that put $100 million worth of Hawai‘i Convention Center repairs at risk. Star-Advertiser.

Police Set Out To Curb Violence On West Oʻahu. Traffic Citations Soared. Honolulu police said they stepped up traffic enforcement on the Westside last summer to help them find criminals and guns. Some residents said they felt harassed.  Civil Beat.

City passes set of bills to aid crack down on illegal game rooms. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi plans to sign three bills that will further the crack down on illegal gambling. The bills were passed on Wednesday by the city council.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Big Island council passes $950M budget but denies $2M for food security. On Thursday, the council passed both the county’s operating and capital improvement budgets through their final readings. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council votes to protect Parks and Rec staffers: Some are targeted in lawsuit over dead tree-trimmer. The Hawaii County Council on Thursday voted to indemnify against liability former Department of Parks and Recreation director Maurice Messina, former deputy director Michelle Hiraishi and four current or former Parks and Rec employees in a wrongful death lawsuit related to a fatal workplace incident more than four years ago. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi To Settle Teacher’s Claim He Was Fired Over False Abuse Allegation. Hawaiʻi is set to pay $140,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a former Big Island teacher who claims the state education department defamed and wrongfully fired him in 2019 after he was accused of child abuse.  Civil Beat.

One-Way Traffic On Aliʻi Drive To Revert Back To Two-Way Pattern. During the 30-day trial period, community feedback returning the traffic pattern to its original two-way flow. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui County Council to hear response to vacation rentals conversion today. A key Maui County Council committee will hear testimony today on Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposal to convert less than half of Maui’s short-term vacation rentals into long-term housing for local residents that’s expected to trigger a loss of $60 million in tax revenue while lowering sales and rental prices. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

Maui Council approves staff pay raises after contentious debate on transparency. After a tense 90-minute debate, the Maui County Council voted 6-3 on Friday to give its staff a 15% pay increase, plus an additional 5% for experience- and performance-based “step” increases. Maui Now.

Maui marketing campaign kicks off. A $6 million Maui emergency marketing campaign is finally underway some four months after Gov. Josh Green released the funds to help counter the continued softness from the August 2023 Maui wildfires and the expected downturn due to the wildfires in Los Angeles, Hawaii’s top tourism source market. Star-Advertiser.

More oversight added to preserve native rights. State Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Carmen Hulu Lindsey said a new position is being created to serve as an advocate for protecting traditional and customary rights on Maui after hearing complaints about the lack of protection of Hawaiian burials. Maui News.

Kauai

Postal Service is hosting open houses in Kauaʻi this month. The community will have the opportunity to learn about assistant rural carrier and rural carrier associate positions currently available at facilities in Kauaʻi with two open house events in Līhuʻe. Kauai Now.

Kauai mayor ponders political future, Green revisits federal prison as county jail, fees proposed for Panewa zoo, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Could Kauaʻi’s Mayor Ride Wave Of Strong Fundraising To Statewide Office? Mayor Derek Kawakami has not decided his next move, which may depend on a looming decision by Hawaiʻi Senate President Ron Kouchi, whom he calls a mentor. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaiʻi astronomers discover biggest explosion since the Big Bang. A team at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Institute for Astronomy has uncovered a dazzling new kind of cosmic explosion, more energetic than anything seen before, according to a news release from the university.  Big Island Now.

UH president recommends Matt Elliott for AD post. Matt Elliott, who was an innovative administrator for 13 years with UCLA and the past 18 months with the Hawaii Community Foundation, one of the state’s leading nonprofit organizations, is set to be named UH’s athletic director. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4. Aloha State Daily.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council adopts $5.19B budget package. Two late votes by the Hono­lulu City Council Wednesday evening finalized approval of a $5.19 billion budget package for the city’s 2026 fiscal year, which begins July 1. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green revisits acquiring federal prison building to replace declining OCCC. The Honolulu Federal Detention Center could be back on the table to replace the deteriorating and overpopulated Oʻahu Community Correctional Center. Hawaii Public Radio.

City Attorney Delays Raise Price Tag In $3.25M Settlement. Honolulu City Council approved a payout to the United Public Workers to resolve a dozen disputes over garbage collector pay. Delays by city officials added thousands in fees and fines. Civil Beat.

US soldier gets 23 years for killing his pregnant wife with a machete and dumping her in the trash. The court martial of Army Pfc. Dewayne Arthur Johnson, 29, concluded Thursday as a military judge sentenced him to 23 years in prison for killing his pregnant wife, 19-year-old Mischa Mabeline Kaalohilani Johnson, and their unborn child on July 12. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Long-awaited legal racetrack on former Navy land in Kalaeloa closer to reality. The city got the deed to the land in September. The goal is to build a sprawling park along with campsites. But the raceway is the first project. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County proposes new fees for zoo, increased fees for equestrian center. To pay for new positions, programs and other needs, Hawai’i County has proposed new fees for residents and visitors at the Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens in Hilo that would begin on July 1. The zoo now is free for everyone. Big Island Now.

Affordable housing scheme ends in guilty verdicts. Three men who conspired with a Hawaii County worker for seven years to secure and sell $10.9 million in land and affordable housing credits in exchange for $1.9 million in bribes and kickbacks were found guilty by a federal jury Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Residential building that survived Lahaina fire on Front Street set to reopen later this month. The 42-unit building opens at a pivotal time, as the Maui County Council prepares to decide on Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposal to ban more than 7,000 short-term rentals for certain condominiums in apartment districts, including Lahaina Roads. Maui Now.

Maui Takes 1st Steps Toward Restoring Historic Royal Site In Lahaina. Moku’ulu, the royal compound where Native Hawaiian nobility resided for centuries, is buried beneath the burned remnants of a ballpark. Maui County officials hope to restore the Lahaina landmark over the next several years. Civil Beat. Maui News. 

Maui County preschool program gets federal funds in time for next school year. Maui Economic Opportunity received notice that its Head Start preschool program was approved for federal funding. This comes after uncertainty about whether the program could continue under the threat of federal budget cuts. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Change of command: Capt. Stevenson retires after 35 years of service. The Change of Command ceremony held on Thursday in the hangar of the Pacific Missile Range Facility saw Capt. Robert A. Prince relieve Capt. Brett A. Stevenson as the Commanding Officer. Garden Island.

Office of Economic Development announces 2025 Kauai Cultural Grant Program and Events awardees. From educational workshops and music festivals to heritage celebrations and creative place-making, this year’s awardees reflect the island’s cultural richness and resilience. Their work strengthens Kauai’s communities, enhances quality of life, and promotes sustainable cultural and economic futures. Garden Island.

Survey to assess emergency preparedness level of Kauaʻi households this month. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health’s Kauaʻi District Health Office will conduct a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) survey to assess the emergency preparedness level of Kauaʻi households at the end of June. Kauai Now.

Green signs bills protecting child actors, changing tourism management; Hilo trio found guilty in $11M housing credit scam, former UCLA administrator tapped for UH athletic director, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Earnings of child actors protected by Hawaii law. Gov. Josh Green signed House Bill 874 into law Wednesday alongside Maia Kealoha, the 8-year-old actor playing “Lilo” in Disney’s live-action remake of “Lilo and Stitch”, who joined him at the ceremony. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Gov. Josh Green signs bill changing tourism management. Senate Bill 1571 makes the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Board of Directors an advisory board again, no longer a policy-making board, following criticism about governance and oversight. Hawaii Public Radio.

What happens if Hawaiʻi falls short of its goal to reduce carbon emissions?  Hawaiʻi has until 2030 to slash greenhouse gas emissions in half compared to 2005 levels. Hawaii Public Radio.

Matt Elliott, a former UCLA administrator, expected to be named UH athletic director. Matt Elliott, who was key in reshaping the college football landscape, is expected to be named the University of Hawaii’s athletic director, according to people familiar with the situation. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council adopts HART’s $968M budget. The City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to approve the Hono­lulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s  $174.7 million operating budget and  a $793.6 million capital spending plan, above the current $574 million — a nearly 38.3% increase. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Sewer Fees Increase Approved In Narrow City Council Vote. The measure, which needs to be signed by Mayor Rick Blangiardi, raises rates at a slower pace than initially proposed. Councilman Augie Tulba said it’s still “a heavy lift for many families.” Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

HPD interim chief appointment on hold. The chief of the Hawaii Police Department will not step down from his post ahead of a decision by the Honolulu Police Commission about who will serve as interim chief of the Honolulu Police Department. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

20 injured in city bus crash on H-1 near Honolulu airport. City officials say a total of 20 people were injured in Wednesday's crash involving a city bus and a pickup truck on the H-1 eastbound near the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Civil rights advocates urge governor to stop building new $1B jail. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and members of the Reimagining Public Safety Coalition gathered outside Gov. Josh Green’s office Wednesday to make their case against the state’s plans to replace the rundown Oahu Community Correctional Center. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

Big Island attorneys, businessman found guilty in housing credits scam. 78-year-old Paul Joseph Sulla Jr., 55-year-old Gary Charles Zamber, both attorneys, and 65-year-old businessman Rajesh P. Budhabhatti were convicted Wednesday by a federal jury in Honolulu in connection with a scam in which the trio received Hawaii County affordable housing credits and land conveyances worth at least $10.98 million, with no intention of developing affordable housing.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  KHON2. 

Former Kona teacher guilty of sexually assaulting minor. A former Konawaena Middle School teacher was convicted last week of continuous sexual assault of a minor younger than 14 and attempted first-degree sexual assault. Tribune-Herald.

High Lava Fountains Mark Kīlauea Eruption Episode 24. Scientists reported fountains reached heights of more than 1,000 ft overnight, with large lava flows are covering Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor. Big Island Video News.

Head of Maunakea Authority says astronomy funding cuts will be ‘catalytic’ for all involved. Keck Observatory emphasized that it’s working with Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation to help pass a budget that will maintain astronomy in the islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Key amendments proposed for vacation rental phase-out bill ahead of Council committee hearing. The contentious debate over the future of thousands of short-term vacation rentals in Maui County is heading to a much-anticipated public hearing Monday, June 9, before the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee. Maui Now.

Meeting set to help native plant growers. Maui County water supply director John Stufflebean wants a new ordinance that provides a reduced rate for qualified native plant growers. Maui News.

Judge temporarily halts Job Corps closures, reinstating staff and offering hope to Maui’s center. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from shutting down more than 100 Job Corps centers nationwide — including the Maui Job Corps Center — offering a moment of relief for staff and students who just days ago were bracing for sudden closures. Maui Now.

MEO Head Start receives federal notification of funding for 2025-26 year. Maui Economic Opportunity’s Head Start preschool program has secured $2.7 million in federal funding for the 2025-26 school year, MEO announced on Wednesday. Maui Now.

Maui County Council passes $1.56B budget with an eye on 'shifting federal priorities'.  The council voted Tuesday on a final version of Bill 41, which details a budget about $46 million more than what Mayor Richard Bissen initially proposed in March. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Princeville residents take legal action against developer over anthrax-stricken land. A plan to convert designated open space into luxury vacation rental housing may pose a public health threat to Princeville residents, visitors, and island residents who work in Princeville, according to the lawsuit. Kauai Now.

New ambulance station completes coverage. The new station is located within the Hale Halawai complex of buildings, close to Waioli Park, which, in the past, served as an emergency helicopter drops site. The facility is near the heart of downtown Hanalei. Garden Island.