Elections Commission seeks audit, return to same-day in-person voting; job cutbacks amid softening tourism; status unclear on federal parks in Hawaii, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Elections Commission Wants State Auditor To Examine Hawaiʻi’s 2024 Vote. The commission also asked the Legislature to consider returning to one-day, in-person voting, and narrowly rejected firing chief election officer Scott Nago. Civil Beat.

‘Closely monitoring’ shutdown: Green’s office issues statement in wake of federal funding uncertainty. With a partial federal government shutdown in place and the Trump administration freezing $26 billion in federal funding for Democrat-run states, including Hawaii, the office of Gov. Josh Green says it is “closely monitoring the impacts … on our residents, workers and critical programs.” Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Maui Now.  KHON2. 

Tourism softening prompts job cuts and reduced hours for Hawaii workers. The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reported Tuesday that there were 806,776 total visitors to the Hawaiian Islands in August. The 2.6% decline from August 2024 was the second-worst arrivals drop of the year after July, when visitor arrivals dropped 4.4%. Star-Advertiser.

Trump freezes $26B in funding for Democratic-run states, including Hawaii. The targeted programs included $18 billion for transit projects in New York, home to Congress’s top two Democrats, and $8 billion for green-energy projects in 16 Democratic-run states, including Hawaii, California and Illinois.  Reuters.

Federal funding cuts trigger Hawaiʻi Resilience Fund activation. The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation announced it has activated its Hawaiʻi Resilience Fund in response to ongoing federal funding cuts to nonprofit organizations across the state. Maui Now.

Private funding keeps Hawaii’s historic sites open.  Despite a federal government shutdown that began Tuesday evening in Hawaii, the state’s most visited historic sites will remain open to the public. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Digital Navigator program launches at state libraries. Beginning this month, Hawaii residents will be able to sit down with trained “digital navigators” at public libraries for help with everyday technology skills, part of a new state initiative to expand digital literacy and bridge the digital divide.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Eyeing rooftop solar? Options are slim for the rest of 2025. The deadline to claim a major federal tax credit for rooftop solar is three months away. But for some Hawaiʻi residents, the window may have already closed. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Convicted Officials May Be Innocent, Hawaiʻi Chief Justice Suggests. Honolulu’s former top city attorney Donna Leong, managing director Roy Amemiya and Honolulu Police Commission Chair Max Sword may have an opening to get their criminal records thrown out, one legal expert says.  Civil Beat.

Council OKs Downtown Business Improvement District. Downtown Honolulu property owners will soon pay into a revamped special improvement district to boost public safety and economic revitalization in an area long known for crime, homelessness and closed businesses. Star-Advertiser.

City completes Dillingham Boulevard Bridge rehabilitation project ahead of schedule. The city’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC) said the $1.5 million project finished two months ahead of schedule. Hawaii News Now.

OHA May Have Found A Way To Build Housing In Kakaʻako Makai. After years of failing to get building approval, the office may look to another Hawaiʻi government agency to jumpstart construction. Civil Beat.

Concerns raised as state approves use of ‘camera car’ to enforce parking at Ala Wai harbor.  A vehicle with a license plate reader  goes though the lots and figures out who’s been parked for longer than the six-hour limit. Hawaii News Now.

The Fallout: Life After Aging Out Of An Abusive Foster Home. The former foster sons of John Teixeira were left to find their way in the world. Some made it. Some did not. Civil Beat.

Stuck On A Honolulu Rail Platform? Let A Book Take You Somewhere. The city wants livelier rail stations. The library system wants more access to their books. Can a vending machine pilot project satisfy both goals? Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Woman charged for making millions off ‘100% Kona Coffee’ that was not pure. Patricia Johnson, aka “Trish,” was charged in a 24-count indictment Sept. 25 after she allegedly made more than $5.2 million selling “100% Kona coffee” that was actually sourced from South American beans bought in California and Washington. Johnson’s Kona Coffee Cafe on Alii Drive opened in the 1990s and purportedly sold “100% Kona Coffee” in drinks, coffee beans, and chocolate-covered coffee beans. Kona Coffee Cafe’s physical location is closed but its online business remains open, according to the company website. Star-Advertiser. 

How does the federal government shutdown affect Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park? Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will remain accessible to the public during the federal government shutdown, but some services may be limited or unavailable, officials with the National Park announced on Wednesday. Big Island Now.

Young Brothers shipment originally slated to arrive Oct. 2 at Hilo port delayed. Cargo destined for Hilo will be loaded on another barge departing today, with Young Brothers reporting in its promised update that the backup barge is expected to arrive Oct. 3 at the Port of Hilo. Big Island Now.

Maui

Lahaina Strong and Housing Back Hui Coalition urge Maui County Council to pass Bill 9 ‘clean’. Bill 9, which passed out of the Maui County Council Housing and Land Use Committee on July 24, 2025, would transition short-term vacation rental (STR) units in apartment-zoned districts—once homes for local families—back into the long-term housing pool for residents. Maui Now.

Lahaina’s Front Street to remain two lanes. A Maui County government consulting firm looking at ways to rebuild Lahaina after the 2023 wildfire has narrowed the field of discussion about redesigning Lahaina’s commercial district and eliminated turning Front Street into a mall or into a one-way thoroughfare. Maui News.

New Pā‘ia siren expected in late 2026, as recent emergencies show they’re no longer a ‘last resort’. The use of the sirens in the Pā‘ia fire and during the tsunami warning in July showed just how much the approach to sounding them has changed since the 2023 Lahaina wildfire.  Maui Now.

State selects Ku‘ia property for new King Kamehameha III Elementary. Gov. Josh Green’s office announced Wednesday that state and county officials have landed on the Ku’ia site below the Lahaina Bypass as they move forward with plans to rebuild the school destroyed in the 2023 Maui wildfires. Maui News. KITV4.

Kauai

EPA fines Grove Farm, Hawaii Gas for illegal cesspools on Kauai. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined the Grove Farm Company Inc. and The Gas Company more than $104,500 for operating illegal large-capacity cesspools in Lihue, Kauai. Garden Island.

24k federal civilian workers in Hawaii brace for shutdown, state Elections Commission divided over mail-in voting, Waikiki bank robber suspect arrested, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

How the federal government shutdown impacts Hawaii. With 24,000 federal civilian workers in Hawaii, it is unclear how many and exactly what services could be impacted. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Mail-in vs in-person: State Elections Commission divided. The state elections commission is divided over mail-in versus in-person voting, with allegations of mishandled and miscounted ballots unresolved, and some calling for the voting director to lose his job. KHON2.

State funding beefs up project possibilities for Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council. The council received 54 funding requests for various pest-related projects, beating the 19 received last year. The nearly $5.7 million HISC has available to distribute is also the most it's had in at least the last decade. Hawaii Public Radio.

Study: 3D-printed shelters by Hawaii scientists protect baby corals. University of Hawaii at Manoa scientists have just released results from more than a year long study on the key to restoring Hawaii’s coral populations. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu councilmembers urge more department coordination during emergencies. Honolulu councilmembers pushed the city Department of Emergency Management for more coordination and public awareness for evacuation plans following the July tsunami warning. Hawaii Public Radio.

Police arrest suspect in Waikiki bank robbery. 18 people treated at scene after man released pepper spray. Officials said the 66-year-old suspect turned himself in at the Kapolei Federal Building on Tuesday and he was arrested for robbery. Hawaii News Now.

Police praise surveillance camera pilot project for deterring break-ins. The six-month, $65,000 project involves trailers placed in areas of high criminal activity. Hawaii News Now.

Family Court Must Release Records In Isabella Kalua Child Abuse Death. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court on Tuesday broke with more than two decades of precedent to order the release of 975 pages showing how the 6-year-old was placed with parents now accused of killing her. Civil Beat.

‘You Take What You Can Get’: Hawaiʻi Brushed Off Signs Of Abuse At Foster Home. Some boys tried to warn about what was happening, but their reports were discounted or ignored. Civil Beat.

They Signed Up For Co-Living In Honolulu And Got A ‘Hell Hole’. Dozens of people have been living in a downtown office building without kitchens, air conditioning and proper ventilation. The landlord says he is working to address safety concerns and plans to convert the building to student housing. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Episode 34 eruption at Kīlauea sends lava fountains soaring. By early October 1, lava fountains had reached up to 330 feet high and were tilted slightly to the northeast.  KITV4.

Invasive species control efforts literally are paying off. Three biological control programs aimed at tackling invasive species in Hawaii are showing positive economic returns, with two delivering especially strong results, according to a recent economic analysis conducted by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Island bus crash in Laupahoehoe sends 22 to hospital. The driver of a Hawaii County Hele-On bus that rolled down an embankment and overturned early Tuesday morning in Laupahoehoe has been relieved of his duties pending further investigation. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Police Department holds memorial service to honor K9 Archer. The Hawaii Police Department held a private memorial service on Tuesday to honor the life and service of K9 Archer, who died after being left unattended in a police vehicle. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Maui Council approves MPD participation in Joint Terrorism Task Force with the FBI. Maui County Council members have given initial approval to Bill 92, which authorizes the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for Maui County to participate in a Joint Terrorism Task Force, Honolulu Division. Maui Now.

Director of Human Concerns Lori Tsuhako to retire Dec. 31. Maui County Director of Human Concerns Lori Tsuhako, who has served as a director under three different administrations, has announced she is retiring at the end of the year. Maui News.

Maui Plans To Redraw Its Coastal Development Lines. The county has started the long process of reevaluating the Special Management Area maps that govern which parts of the island are subject to enhanced protections for environmental, cultural and historic resources.  Civil Beat.

Maui United Way joins community partners to build firebreak around Lahainaluna HS. Maui United Way brought together local alumni, community leaders and partners including Hawaiian Electric, Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Lahaina Excavation, and Maui Emergency Management Agency to launch the Lahainaluna Firebreak Initiative.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kapa‘a Swimming Pool reopens this week following 2-week closure. Kapa‘a Swimming Pool reopens Oct. 1 for its regular schedule after Kaua‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation completed repairs of mechanical issues that caused the pool to close 2 weeks ago. Kauai Now.

Aloha ‘Ike resurrected. The Kauai Economic Development Board agreed to “resurrect” the Aloha ‘Ike program, and a fundraising gala at Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort Friday served to formalize the decision. Garden Island.

Police to get hefty raises, bonuses, perks; Green and Driscoll ink preliminary military land agreement; Waikiki bank robbery injures 18, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Arbitrator awards police officers their largest pay raise in 17 years. Police officers in Hawaii secured the increase after an independent arbitrator issued a decision on a new four-year contract that was lauded by union leadership. Police officer pay will increase 40% between 2021 and 2028. The  total compensation package will provide most members an increase of more than 27.5%. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Green signs ‘statement of principles’ with Army on land negotiations. Governor Josh Green and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll have established a non-binding Statement of Principles as land lease talks continue.  Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Young Brothers warns interisland shipping is at risk. A state commission began a multiday hearing Monday to determine whether the distressed company transporting most goods between the main Hawaiian islands deserves a big rate hike plus automated inflationary annual increases. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

The search is on for a new Hawaii Chief Justice. Longtime Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald is retiring this week, and there aren’t yet enough qualified applicants interested in taking his place. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Shutdown would add to Hawaii’s economic woes. Federal workers in Hawaii who are worried about a shutdown of the federal government that could begin at 6:01 p.m. today (12:01 a.m EDT Wednesday) are likely already cutting back on local spending, adding to Hawaii’s already sluggish economy, according to the head of the University of Hawaii’s Economic Research Organization. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Chemical dispersed during Waikiki bank robbery. Police search for suspect in Waikiki bank robbery; 18 patients treated at scene. Officers were called to the First Hawaiian Bank’s Waikiki branch on Kalakaua Avenue and Lewers Street just after 2 p.m. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Skyline stations transform into community food hubs. Honolulu Skyline passengers may notice something different on their morning rail commute: more than half-a-dozen planter boxes full of growing tomatoes, eggplants, scallions and sweet potatoes, among other edible plants. Civil Beat. KHON2.

‘Lord Of The Flies’: How Hawaiʻi’s Model Foster Dad Preyed On Boys. John Teixeira answered a desperate need for the state: Where to put boys no one else would take. He’d eventually take in almost 60. But there would be a cost. Civil Beat.

Community vows to protect Oahu’s water amid Red Hill contamination concerns. Community leaders, advocates and students gathered at Honolulu Hale on Monday afternoon to launch the “Pledge to Our Wai, Pledge to Our Keiki,” a public commitment to protect Oahu’s aquifer from ongoing contamination tied to the U.S. Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.  Star-Advertiser.

Forum on political history of Native Hawaiians seeks to help navigate the future. In a nod to Hawaiian History Month, a forum sponsored by the Honolulu mayor's office and the city council is to take place on Tuesday to highlight the changing political climate and the concern that programs to help Native Hawaiians are being targeted. Hawaii Public Radio.

Blaisdell Center has completed new state-of-the-art parking system. While the upgrade work started on Sept. 22, additional operational adjustments are still being finalized, and the Department of Enterprise Services is asking commuters and visitors to be patient during this transition period. Hawaii News Now.

Ala Wai Golf Course gets major upgrades, including solar and LED lighting. These improvements align with the City's wider initiatives to decrease energy consumption, lower expenses, and advance the objectives of the City's Climate Action Plan. Concurrently, they aim to maintain and enhance the distinguished golf course, which accommodates over 12,000 rounds of golf annually. KITV4.

Hawaii Business Magazine's new editor-in-chief talks next generation, media landscape. Jennifer Ablan returned home from New York after three decades to take the job. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Teen Arrested For Alleged Terroristic Threatening At Kona High School. A 14-year-old female from Ocean View was arrested after the Konawaena High School student allegedly threatened to shoot three fellow students on campus. Big Island Video News.

Construction of county’s Kukuiola project begins. The Kukuiola Emergency Shelter and Assessment Center in Kailua-Kona will include 16 emergency shelter units for the homeless, a manager’s unit, a 2,000-square-foot assessment center, community restroom facilities with showers, a 1,400-square-foot community center and a shared kitchen. Tribune-Herald.

Next Lava Episode In Kilauea Eruption Is About To Begin. Precursory activity in Episode 34 of the Kīlauea eruption got underway overnight at the summit.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

The Sunshine Interview: Maui Mayor Richard Bissen And Recovery Chief John Smith. The county’s chief executive and head of the Maui Office of Recovery discuss federal funding for the rebuilding of Lahaina and Upcountry. Civil Beat.

Pāʻia Elementary School to remain closed through Friday; asynchronous distance learning to begin Wednesday.  While the campus did not sustain direct fire damage, soot continues to impact parts of the campus. Maui Now.

Maui County Fair returns this week. The Maui County Fair is returning to the War Memorial Special Complex this week, featuring dozens of food booths, rides, live entertainment, livestock and poultry exhibits, a petting zoo and much more. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Kauaʻi Water Utility Hawks $1.3B Plan To Overhaul Century-Old System. The repairs are needed to protect the island’s drinking water and ensure sufficient supply to face the growing wildfire risk, officials said. Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi-based conservationists sound alarm over mass killing of native birds. At Ninini Point near the Līhuʻe airport, Archipelago Research and Conservation recently discovered 125 dead birds. The group said all the birds had been killed by cats. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauaʻi County’s Housing Agency to open applications for community development block grants. Online applications will be available beginning Friday on the Housing Agency’s CDBG webpage. The deadline to submit applications is Nov. 13, by 4:30 p.m. Kauai Now.

Green pushes national agenda, hearings start today on Young Brothers' 27% shipping rate increase, Hanabusa quits HART board, Chief Justice Recktenwald forced to retire, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

'There Can Be Peace': Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green Wants To Heal The Country. In a wide-ranging conversation, the governor makes it pretty clear where his head is at when it comes to combining his ongoing efforts for Hawaiʻi with his future national ambitions. Civil Beat.

Retiring chief justice led with kindness, compassion, wisdom. Mark E. Recktenwald, who turns 70 on Oct. 8, will retire Tuesday due to the state’s mandatory retirement age of 70 for justices and judges. Star-Advertiser.

Choy fired while suing Hawai‘i Tourism Authority for retaliation. Isaac Choy, a former state tax director and state legislator, was terminated from his job at the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority effective Sept. 15, according to a motion to file an amended complaint in his whistle-blower lawsuit. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Young Brothers shipping company proposes a rate increase to shore up finances. The state Public Utilities Commission is holding a weeklong hearing starting today on Young Brothers’ request to raise its rates. The shipping company asked the commission to approve a 27% rate increase last year.  Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. 

State Tries To Seal Foster Care Files To Protect Info It Already Revealed. When Civil Beat sought exhibits in the trial of an abusive Hawaiʻi foster dad, the Attorney General’s Office intervened to prevent “family trauma” from becoming public. It already had. Civil Beat.

Hawaii consumers hit by higher prices brace for more. Last week, UHERO forecast a bleak economic future for Hawaii for the rest of the year and into 2026 with more job losses expected as federal immigration agents continue to deport immigrants and more federal workers are expected to end their job extensions on Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Keeping Hawai‘i Convention Center repairs on track is vital to stemming tourism losses, officials say. The modified closure of the Hawai‘i Convention Center over at least the next two years will cost the visitor industry hundreds of millions in lost revenue, and a lack of confidence in the state-run project’s timeline is putting future bookings at risk. Star-Advertiser.

Developers seeking to build affordable housing reach new heights. Demand for affordable housing in Hawaiʻi is rising, and so is the number of developers seeking to meet that demand. And now federal changes could mean more housing built.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii schools are climbing back from pandemic slump. The 2025 Strive HI report shows that math proficiency climbed to 41% in the 2024-2025 academic year, science to 43% and language arts proficiency saw a slight increase to 53%, meaning they met benchmarks set by the state Department of Education. Star-Advertiser.

Health care student loans to be paid by year-end. The fourth and final student loan payments for the first 780 Hawaii health care workers has been delayed but are now expected by the end of October, or at least the end of the year, according to the doctor in charge of overseeing the two-year program designed to keep and recruit workers. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Colleen Hanabusa resigns from HART board. Colleen Hanabusa, chairperson of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board of directors, is resigning from the body that governs construction of the more than $10 billion Skyline rail project, officials announced at Friday’s HART meeting. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Affordable apartments in Makiki billed as first of many by partnership. The partnership between Tradewind Capital Group and Stanford Carr Development recently received state financing commitments to fund nearly all of the estimated $148 million cost to build their initial tower. Star-Advertiser.

Nonprofits anticipate hunger to worsen in Hawaii. Thousands of people filled the Hawai‘i Convention Center on Saturday for the return of the Empty Bowl fundraiser, where guests selected handmade bowls crafted by local potters and enjoyed soups donated by more than a dozen restaurants. Star-Advertiser.

This Kāneʻohe Road Is Overdue For Repair. Kea’ahala Road connects Kāneʻohe town to major state facilities, but it’s been 20 years since it was properly repaved, and sidewalks are impassable for many.  Civil Beat.

State looks for lessee to revamp and operate Mālaekahana campground. The 36-acre recreation spot in Kahuku closed in 2023 for infrastructure upgrades. Hawaii Public Radio.

Residents reeling after being told to vacate Honolulu apartment building within days. A letter from the owner of Union Plaza posted on Saturday night said residents had until Tuesday to get out.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Housing Scandal Stalls Plans For Apartments. The affordable rentals in Kailua-Kona were supposed to be ready in 2024 and cost $50 million. The developer now hopes to finish in 2027 at a cost of $81 million. Civil Beat.

Keauhou Bay development clears another hurdle. Kamehameha Schools is advancing plans for a resort development on lands above Keauhou Bay, following the county Planning Department’s acceptance of the project’s final environmental impact statement. Tribune-Herald.

Monterey Bay Aquarium granted permit to collect marine life off Kona coast. The Board of Land and Natural Resources has approved a special activity permit allowing George Peterson, director of Marine Operations at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, to collect, possess and transport various regulated and nonregulated marine organisms off the coast of West Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

Tokuda discusses shutdown threat, health care cuts during Hilo visit. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda met with the Tribune-Herald on Wednesday during a visit to Hilo, where she discussed the potential for a federal government shutdown, ongoing attacks on Congress, the fight to preserve health care funding and efforts by states to shift the balance of power ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Tribune-Herald.

AG, county reach agreement over HPD internal records. The Hawaii Police Department and the state attorney general have come to an agreement regarding statements made by four HPD officers in an internal affairs investigation of alleged misconduct regarding events in May 2023. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

State mulls rescue help for parched Maui water system. Over 30 years ago, state leaders saw a need to take over Hawaii plantation-era water systems and fallow farmland to support diversified agriculture, and now one such water system that’s become a drain on Maui’s economy is for sale. Star-Advertiser.

Paia Elementary cleans up from nearby brush fire; school to remain closed Monday. The school has now been closed for four school days since Tuesday’s Holomua wildfire burned 400 acres and led to the evacuation of 1,600 Paia residents.  Star-Advertiser. Maui News.  Maui Now. 

Petition calls for Holomua Road closure after 380-acre fire; houseless community says it’s not to blame. Tania Kawa‘akoa shakes her head at the notion that one of the roughly 25 people who live in their cars, tents and temporary shelters along Holomua Road had anything to do with the 380-acre blaze that broke out Tuesday in the open fields above Pā‘ia and Kū‘au. Maui Now.

105 Hawaiian Homes agricultural leases on Maui mark first such awards in over 20 years. It was a day of celebration and anticipation for Maui ʻohana as they received their agricultural lot awards in two homestead projects. Some were on the Hawaiian Homes waitlist for nearly 50 years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Agribusiness Development Corp. to hold first board meeting on Maui, Oct. 16. The Hawai‘i Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) will hold its next board of directors meeting on Maui, marking the first time the state agency has convened on the island. Maui Now.

Kauai

High Enterococcus fecal indicating bacteria measured at Morgan’s Pond in September. This month 12 of the 29 sites tested had bacteria concentrations higher than the Hawaii state standard (130 mpn) and 14 of the 29 had geometric means high enough to put them on the chronically polluted list. Garden Island.

Scheduled Kaua‘i lane closures on state roadways for Sept. 29 to Oct. 3. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation announces the following lane closures and road work projects for state roadways on the Garden Isle during the week of Sept. 29 to Oct. 3. Kauai Now.

McKenna named acting Supreme Court chief judge, economists predict Hawaii recession, arson alleged in latest Maui wildfire, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Sabrina McKenna to lead Hawaii Judiciary as acting chief justice. Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna will begin serving as acting chief justice Oct. 1, following the retirement of Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald at the end of September, the state Judiciary announced  Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Another state lawmaker launches challenge to Ed Case in Congress. Hawaii’s moderate Democrat in Congress, U.S. Rep. Ed Case, is attracting a growing challenge from within his own political party for next year’s midterm election. State Rep. Della Au Belatti announced on Thursday a campaign to run for the U.S. House District 1 seat held by Case. Star-Advertiser.  KITV4. 

OHA’s Chief Executive Has Abruptly Been Put On Paid Leave. Stacy Ferreira, the chief executive officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, was quietly placed on paid leave Tuesday by the OHA Board of Trustees. The circumstances surrounding Ferreira’s exit are unclear. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.

Economists Forecast Hawaiʻi Recession Tied To Job Losses, Trump Tariffs. The University of Hawaii’s Economic Research Organization's third-quarter economic forecast outlines a long list of forces — many driven by Trump administration policies — that are expected to lead to more job losses, rising costs and a “mild recession” for Hawaii that will affect everyone. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Tribune-Herald. 

State will see SNAP benefit reductions next week. Families across Hawaii are bracing for yet another reduction in food assistance benefits, as the state Department of Human Services prepares to implement federally mandated changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Star-Advertiser.

Confessions could be thrown out because of new Hawaii Supreme Court ruling. Police departments in Hawaii are now required to use video and audio recordings of all interrogations done at police stations if the suspect is under arrest. Hawaii News Now.

Driving change: State gives away 1,000 dashcams to make roads safer. The state Department of Transportation is launching a pilot program called “Eyes on the Road.” The goal is to fix road hazards faster and crack down on unsafe drivers. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi recognized for community resilience, equity at Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting. Gov. Josh Green represented Hawaiʻi at an event featuring leaders from around the world discussing solutions for pressing global challenges, focusing on resilience, health and equity. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Seaglider Initiative expands with new partners. The Hawaii Seaglider Initiative — a coalition advocating electric-powered vehicles known as seagliders as a cleaner, affordable interisland transportation option — announced Thursday it added three major organizations to its membership: Hawaii Medical Service Association, The Queen’s Health System and Kamehameha Schools. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Defends Bumpy Rollout Of New Building Permit System. The $7 million system, funded by city and federal funds, has had problems since it launched on Aug. 4. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

New Aloha Stadium contracts signed. Two contracts signed Tuesday give  the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District's private partnership group, Aloha Halawa District Partners, the go-ahead to dismantle the old stadium and build the new one at the same site. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

A New Plan Is Brewing In The Fight To Save O‘ahu’s North Shore Beaches. University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant teams up with North Shore Community Land Trust to find solutions for the island’s disappearing beaches. Civil Beat.

How Many Crosswalks Have Been Removed In Honolulu? The City Isn’t Sure. The city took out dozens of crosswalks more than six years ago, but city officials they haven’t tallied how many have been removed since then. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Tourism to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park contributes $571 million to economy last year. A new National Park Service report reveals that 1,433,593 visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in 2024 had a cumulative economic benefit of $571 million for the local economy. Big Island Now.

Residents invited to shape tourism plan at 2 Hawaii Island meetings. The Hawaii Tourism Authority invites residents to take part in community input sessions that will provide space for members of the public to share their insights, experiences and ideas about the future of tourism on their island. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

MFD: Paia wildfire that led to evacuations was intentionally set. The Holomua wildfire that burned about 400 acres, led to the evacuation of over 1,600 Paia residents and has closed a school for three days was intentionally set, Maui Fire Department officials said Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

State-run Ka Laʻi Ola temporary housing for Lahaina fire survivors is finished; 450 units soon-to-be full. There are 432 units completed on site in Lahaina and another 18 units set to go for residential dwellings to be put on property owned by fire survivors. Maui Now.

Maui public schools included in flawed, $100 million-plus solar air-conditioning initiative. On Maui, the schools that received air conditioning were located in Central and West Maui. Kaunakakai Elementary on Moloka’i is listed, but no classrooms received air-conditioning, even though nearly $320,000 was spent for design of units. Maui Now.

Kauai

Access gate to Queen’s Bath closed for winter. Access to the gate is closed due to hazardous ocean conditions and anticipation of the winter season,” said Kauai Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson.  Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

Green Fee Advisory Council sketches out priorities, state expects hundreds of millions for rural health care, Honolulu building permits delayed by new system transition, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Community presses Hawaii’s new Green Fee Advisory Council. Representatives of Hawaii’s new Green Fee Advisory Council who will make recommendations on how increased lodging fees should be spent to combat climate change said Wednesday that they understand the scrutiny they’re under and pledged transparency. Star-Advertiser.

Look Who’s Talking — Or Not — At Hawaiʻi’s Legislature. For some lawmakers, quietly is the most effective way to legislate. Others feel the public should hear exactly where they stand. Civil Beat.

Civil Beat Launches Digital Democracy AI. Technology that reveals how decisions are made in Hawaiʻi. The custom-built AI tool tracks every word spoken in public hearings, every dollar donated to politicians, every bill introduced, every vote cast and more.  Civil Beat.

Sen. Aquino is leaving Legislature for lobbying firm position. Sen. Henry Aquino announced his retirement Wednesday, with it becoming effective Nov. 30. Aquino (D, Pearl City-Waipahu-West Loch) has served 17 years in the Legislature, and is assistant majority whip in the Senate. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Gov. Green to speak at annual Clinton Global Initiative meeting in New York. Gov. Josh Green was to have traveled to New York on Wednesday afternoon to attend the Clinton Foundationʻs Global Initiative Annual Meeting. Big Island Now. 

Hawaii’s air ambulance services get much-needed lift with new companies. For the last three years, Hawaii has had just one air ambulance company that serves the entire island chain. Now a new carrier is helping meet growing demand, with another on the way.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi expected to receive hundreds of millions from federal rural health fund. The state is planning how it will spend hundreds of millions of dollars from a new federal Rural Health Transformation Program, and it wants public input. Hawaii Public Radio.

E-Bikes In Schools: Hawai’i Politicians Call For Restrictions. Efforts to implement stricter rules and more consistent standards have taken on urgency amid a sharp increase in traffic fatalities this year. Civil Beat. KHON2. 

State's AI-generated podcast invites more eyes (and ears) on classroom AC audit. State Auditor Les Kondo launched an AI-generated podcast, "The Audible Audit," this month.  Hawaii Public Radio.

University of Hawaiʻi’s four-year universities earn national recognition. The University of Hawaiʻi’s three four-year universities earned national recognition in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings released on Tuesday. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Proposed Honolulu ‘Downtown Business Improvement District’ nears approval. A new taxing entity involving downtown Honolulu property owners paying into a revamped special improvement district to boost public safety and economic revitalization in an area known for crime, homelessness and shuttered businesses is nearing City Council approval. Star-Advertiser.

Judge To Decide Fate Of CEO Accused Of Illegal Campaign Donations. Prosecutors allege that JL Capital CEO Tim Lee reimbursed employees for donations they made to the mayoral campaigns of Keith Amemiya and Kym Pine in 2020. Civil Beat. KITV4. 

Building, solar permits delayed in Honolulu with launch of new software system. The city Department of Planning and Permitting said the $5.4M HNL Build system, which was paid for using federal funds, launched on Aug. 4. Hawaii News Now.

DPP sets public meeting over North Shore plan. The  Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting will host a community meeting Tuesday in Waialua to discuss the public review draft Opens in a new tab of the North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan, the main planning document for use of land that runs for 27 miles along the coastline from Kaena Point in the west to Waialee Gulch near Kawela Bay in the east. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Proposed county pay hikes advance. Those raises would include a 3.5% increase on Jan. 1, 2026, a 3.79% raise on July 1, 2026, and 4% hikes on July 1, 2027, and July 1, 2028. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Will Soon Be Home To The World’s Biggest Land-Based Seaweed Farm. Ag tech company Symbrosia is scaling up production of its feed supplements for more environmentally friendly livestock production. Civil Beat.

Plea deal in the works for alleged puppy abuser. A plea deal is on the table for a 58-year-old homeless Hilo woman accused of abusing a pet puppy in April. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Billionaire Larry Ellison Shuts Down Vacation Home Division On Lana‘i. The closure will eliminate 15 jobs, or about 4% of Pulama Lānaʻi’s 400-strong workforce, but the company said employees can apply for other positions. Civil Beat.

Maui nonprofit funding pledged after PGA tournament canceled. The owner of two shuttered Maui golf courses has pledged to donate $750,000 to Valley Isle nonprofits in place of anticipated lost donations connected with a PGA tournament in January canceled due to a water shortage. Star-Advertiser.

Immigrant Lahaina Fire Survivors Terrified By ICE Presence. Members of Maui’s large immigrant population were on edge this week after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were seen knocking on doors in Lahaina, including at the largest temporary housing development for survivors of the deadly 2023 wildfires. Civil Beat.

Maui tops in state drowning rate. Maui led the state with Kauai a close second in having the highest rate of drownings from 2020 through 2024, according to the Hawaii State Department of Health. Maui News.

Kauai

Healthy aging and living better. On Wednesday, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami presented a proclamation announcing that September is National Healthy Aging Month and National Senior Center Month to representatives of the county’s Agency on Elderly Affairs, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and several of Kauai’s most well-known kupuna, including Janice Bond and Santa in Paradise (also known as Phil Worwa). Garden Island.

Cultural practitioners, chefs unite at Waipā for Eat the Invasives gala fundraiser. On Kauai's North Shore, an innovative culinary event spotlighted the fight against invasive species by transforming them into gourmet dishes. Kauai Now.

Green signs emergency COVID proclamation, Maui Land & Pineapple files water shortage counter-suit, campaign finance violations in Honolulu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green signs emergency COVID vaccine order. Gov. Josh Green has issued an emergency proclamation to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines remain accessible in Hawaii, after recent federal decisions created uncertainty over who could receive the shots. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Full text of emergency COVID proclamation.  Office of the Governor.

What to know about the man found guilty of trying to assassinate Trump at a Florida golf course. Ryan Routh, the man who tried to assassinate Donald Trump at a Florida golf course was found guilty by a jury on all counts Tuesday, after which he tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen as his daughter screamed from the courtroom. Associated Press. Reuters. 

What Hawaiʻi families need to know about upcoming federal changes to SNAP program. The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services is preparing families across the state for changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP that become effective on Oct. 1.  Big Island Now.

Last chance: HawaiianMiles change forever Sept. 26. From Sept. 26 through Sept. 30, you will not be able to log in to your HawaiianMiles account. You cannot view balances, redeem awards, change details or use saved payment and traveler information. Normal access will return on Oct. 1, when Atmos Rewards begins. KHON2.

Oahu

Pay-To-Play: Hawaiʻi CEO Pressured Staff To Make Political Gifts. Court documents in an ongoing felony case reveal new details about how employees were reimbursed for making campaign donations.Real estate developer Timothy Lee pressured employees to donate to political campaigns in 2020 and padded a payment to a contractor to reimburse him for campaign donations, according to testimony before an Oʻahu grand jury. Civil Beat.

HFD fund audit draws public, Council comment. A city audit that showed a Honolulu Fire Department fund meant to support fire prevention efforts on Oahu was instead financing the department’s operations, staffing and new fire equipment purchases with little to no oversight received public comment this week. Star-Advertiser.

City Council proposals to change Oʻahu property tax rates raise revenue questions. Last month, the council passed two bills that would increase exemptions for owner-occupants and seniors. Both measures add $20,000 in exempted tax value from those homes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Damien Memorial School and a former principal settle whistleblower lawsuit. A whistleblower lawsuit filed by the former principal of Damien Memorial School has been settled. Arnold Laanui is a retired FBI agent and a proud graduate of the school. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Hawaii Island

Arraignment set for Honolulu man in large meth bust. A Hawaii Island judge has found probable cause to try 29-year-old Sione Latu Misinale, accused of possessing almost 6 pounds of methamphetamine. Tribune-Herald.

Feedback sought for Kona airport plan. The Hawaii Department of Transportation invites the public to attend the first of four public input sessions to guide future developments at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA). Tribune-Herald.

Next Kīlauea Lava Episode Expected In One Week. Scientists say the summit is reinflating, and models indicate that episode 34 is likely to start between September 28 and October 1. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Land & Pineapple files countersuit over Kapalua water shortage. Maui Land &Pineapple Co. filed counterclaims in court late Monday night against five entities suing the company over an irrigation water shortage that led the PGA to scrap a prestigious January 2026 golf tournament worth $50 million to Maui’s economy. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Maui Now.  KITV4.

Evacuation order lifted for Paia after wildfire burns hundreds of acres.  The Maui Emergency Management Agency has lifted all evacuation orders and warnings for the Holomua wildfire near Paia, officials said just after 6 p.m. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Associated Press. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaiian Homes steps up farm awards. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is stepping up its awards of farm leases on Maui, adding 105 lots, including 55 leases for the Waiehu Mauka subdivision and 50 leases for the Honokowai subdivision. Maui News. Maui Now.

State OKs interim rule to protect Molokai from invasive beetles. The Hawaii Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity on Tuesday voted unanimously to pass an interim rule prohibiting the transport of plants, soil, compost and other host material — including gravel and erosion socks — to Molokai from other parts of the state. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Energy developer seeks community input on Kauaʻi solar project. The energy developer AES Hawaiʻi is hosting a community meeting Wednesday on Kauaʻi to discuss a proposed solar farm. Hawaii Public Radio.